How did native americans view the arrival of the explorers?

The beginning

When the Europeans explorers first arrived, (spanish & portuegese specifically), they were viewed as gods, or people sent by the gods. Because of this, they were usually treated royally, and they were able to manipulate, and then conquer Indian empires (ex: Inca empire, Aztec empire) with considerable ease.

'Colonial times' (when the colonies were established) beginning:

Some of the Indian tribes became more hostile, and would quarrel & fight with most of the colonists. However, some of the Indians that got a long with the colonists worked with them, traded with them, and helped them survive. During this time and age, many of them still believed that the colonists 'good', and were sources of 'power' (because of the use of 'a stick that blew smoke out, i.e. a guns, and other things).

US expansion (generally Lewis & Clark Expedition and later on)
During the US expansion towards the west, most Indian tribes actually met the US citizens warmly. As seen in the Lewis & Clark Expedition, the US were able to make positive relationships with most of the Indian tribes, and helped them see that the US settlers would mostly be to their benefits. There were tribes however, like the Crows and Blackfeet, which did not meet the Expedition with warmness. These generally continued their belief when the US settlers entered their regions. When the US expanded to the west coast however, the Indians found that their way of life was slowly falling apart. After the US government tried to force the tribes off their lands to their respective reservations, many resisted, and fought what became known as the "American Indian War". It was fought from ~1783 - late 1800s, and ended with US victory and the deportation of American Indians to reservations. 

Today
Most Native Americans now live off the reservation, and are integrated within today's society. I believe that most of them enjoy modern life, and harbors little to no anger towards the people that live here today. As they are used to it, they actually enjoy immigrants to a certain degree, and would like to interact with them.


hope this helps