<P> Some non-Native anthropologists estimate membership in traditional Native American religions in the 21st century to be about 9000 people . Since Native Americans practicing traditional ceremonies do not usually have public organizations or membership rolls, these "members" estimates are likely substantially lower than the actual numbers of people who participate in traditional ceremonies . Native American spiritual leaders also note that these academic estimates substantially underestimate the numbers of participants because a century of US Federal government persecution and prosecutions of traditional ceremonies caused believers to practice their religions in secrecy . Many adherents of traditional spiritual ways also attend Christian services, at least some of the time, which can also affect statistics . Since the 80 years of those prior legal persecutions ended with AIRFA, some sacred sites in the United States are now protected areas under law . </P> <P> European Christian missionaries were very active and established missions and religious schools among Native peoples . According to Jacob Neusner, Native American Christianity is often "fundamentalist in theology, conservative in their practice, and often revivalistic and evangelical ." </P> <P> Christianity was seen by government officials as a tool in cultural assimilation; many Native American Christians developed a syncretic combination of their traditional belief systems and Christianity, as with the Native American Church . For example, St. David Pendleton Oakerhater (Cheyenne), who was canonized as an Episcopal saint but was a Sun Dancer, as well . According to James Treat, Native American Christians "have constructed and maintained their...religious identities with a variety of considerations in mind...Many native Christians accomplish this identification without abandoning or rejecting native religious traditions ." </P> <P> On August 15, 1986, at the General Synod of the United Church of Canada, Robert Jamieson, a former Mohawk chief, addressed the 375 delegates calling on the church to recognize "the authenticity of native spirituality ." In response, the Synod's moderator Robert Smith offered an Apology . In part Smith said: "In our zeal to tell you of the good news of Jesus Christ, we were closed to the value of your spirituality...We ask you to forgive us and to walk together with us in the Spirit of Christ, so our peoples may be blessed and God's creation healed ." The full Apology can be read at Smith's Apology . </P>

Native american religions were closely linked to what