The Important Book About Native Americans By: Mrs. Huebner, Mrs. Chapo, Mrs. Brown, Ms. Lubowe, and Mrs. Jacobsen

The First People The first people to live in the San Marcos area were Native Americans. The Luisenos were one of the many Native American tribes who settled in Southern California over fifteen hundred (1,500) years ago.

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 Luisenos The Luisenos traveled between the local mountains, the river valleys, the coast, and the desert. Food was plentiful, the climate was mild, and water was in good supply. Since they were a hunting and gathering tribe, they migrated (traveled) to follow the 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 different seasons, the Luisenos gathered roots, seeds, berries, wild grapes, and cactus fruit. They also hunted small animals.

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 Food Many kinds of plants and seeds were used as food, but the acorn, the pine nut, and the mesquite bean were most important. Acorns were crushed into flour 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 to place in search of food, they built temporary homes. Their houses were made of branches and 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 warm climate, the Luisenos needed little clothing. They used animal skins for their clothes and shells and bones for decoration 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 Tools Men made tools out of stone, bone, or wood. They had bows and arrows, spears, throwing sticks, and rocks for hunting. Women were responsible for gathering plants, seeds, berries, and acorns. They were also responsible for weaving baskets and making 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, life remained the same for hundreds of years until European settlers 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.