The Important Book About Native Americans

By: Mrs. Huebner, Mrs. Chapo, Mrs. Brown, Ms. Lubowe, and

Mrs. Jacobsen

The First PeopleThe first people to livein the San Marcos areawere Native Americans. The Luisenos were oneof the many NativeAmerican tribes whosettled in SouthernCalifornia over fifteenhundred (1,500) yearsago.

But the important thing about Native Americans is that they adapted to their natural environment in order to obtain food, clothing, shelter, and to make tools.

Adapting LuisenosThe Luisenos traveledbetween the localmountains, the river valleys,the coast, and the desert. Food was plentiful, theclimate was mild, and waterwas in good supply. Sincethey were a hunting andgathering tribe, theymigrated (traveled) to followthe seasonal food supplies.

But the important thing about Native Americans is that they adapted to their natural environment in order to obtain food, clothing, shelter, and to make tools.

Gathering Luisenos

During the differentseasons, the Luisenosgathered roots, seeds,berries, wild grapes,and cactus fruit. Theyalso hunted smallanimals.

But the important thing about Native Americans is that they adapted to their natural environment in order to obtain food, clothing, shelter, and to make tools.

Luiseno FoodMany kinds of plants andseeds were used as food, but the acorn, the pine nut, and the mesquite beanwere most important. Acorns were crushed intoflour and cooked in baskets. It was a difficult job to prepare the acorns to be eaten safely.

But the important thing about Native Americans is that they adapted to their natural environment in order to obtain food, clothing, shelter, and to make tools.

Luiseno Shelter

Because the Luisenos moved from place toplace in search of food,they built temporaryhomes. Their houseswere made of branchesand tule grass.

But the important thing about Native Americans is that they adapted to their natural environment in order to obtain food, clothing, shelter, and to make tools.

Luiseno Clothing

Because of the warmclimate, the Luisenosneeded little clothing. They used animal skinsfor their clothes andshells and bones fordecoration and jewelry.

But the important thing about Native Americans is that they adapted to their natural environment in order to obtain food, clothing, shelter, and to make tools.

Luiseno ToolsMen made tools out ofstone, bone, or wood. Theyhad bows and arrows,spears, throwing sticks, androcks for hunting. Womenwere responsible forgathering plants, seeds,berries, and acorns. Theywere also responsible forweaving baskets andmaking pottery.

But the important thing about Native Americans is that they adapted to their natural environment in order to obtain food, clothing, shelter, and to make tools.

European Settlers

For the Luisenos, liferemained the samefor hundreds ofyears until Europeansettlers arrived.

But the important thing about Native Americans is that they adapted to their natural environment in order to obtain food, clothing, shelter, and to make tools.