Interview with Louise Munoa Foussat

Photo: Louise (Left) and her sister Miriam (Right).  Photo by Terri Anne Formico.

It is important to note that the written word can not convey the meaning, feelings, and inflection that the oral tradition conveys.  The words here were transcribed from audio tape, any errors in translation are mine alone.
-Charles P. White

When the walkers where nearing the Saint Luis Rey Mission, I left the walk and drove ahead. The people of the Luiseño Nation were expecting us. They provided us with a place to sleep on the Mission grounds and when I arrived at the campsite, many of them were making dinner for us. On the far side of the Mission grounds, I missed the official greeting and entrance. I was sorry I missed the moment, but I wouldn't trade it for the moment about to happen.

The sundown light of the day made the yellow dying grass of the mission field glow a very bright gold. The San Luis Rey Mission itself was painted stark white against a very deep blue sky. The gold, white and blue background framed the walkers coming down from across the field.  I could barely make out the bear staff and the eagle staff because to the left and right of the staffs were people walking, spread out maybe 20 wide.

Near me, at the campsite was three women, a little girl, maybe about 7 years old, a middle aged mother, and an elder sitting in a wheel chair that had several Happy Birthday balloons floating above it.  They shared the same sight of the both the walkers and other Luiseño people coming to the campsite from the Mission. The little girl ran out into the field to greet the walkers then stopped, turned around and yelled, "Here they come Mommy, the Indians are coming, do you see them... here come the Indians Mommy, here they come. "

The elder sitting in the wheel chair was Louise Munoa Foussat and tomorrow would be her 90th birthday. Her sister and daughters wanted to celebrate such an occasion while also greeting the S.O.S. Walkers.

Charles:
Can you tell me a little about yourself?

Louise:
I was born here. My mother had come here from Pala for a fiesta and Powwow, and in those days they used to celebrate the fiesta on the 25 of August, which they have changed now. She had decided to come and I was born over at the Bakery just down this street.

Charles:
I noticed you were sitting here when the walkers came from Pala, can you tell me what was in your heart when you saw that sight?

Louise:
Well, I thought that at last, people are coming out to show who they are. You see I have lived here in Oceanside all my life. My husband was in the service and lived many places, but I lived in the same house over 45 years and about 7 years ago, I wanted the Luiseño people to be recognized, so I went to the people at the City Hall and we started working through schools. I go out and teach our heritage. I also helped save the cemetery across the street by going to the city, and getting a hold of Sacramento because there are Indians buried there. Last year, for the first time we had the Indians that help build this Mission come back and we had our first Powwow. This year was our second Powwow and the people that have the local Radio Station here in Oceanside took pictures, and at the Del Mar Fair, I was just told that our pictures that the Radio Station took, won first prize. The Del Mar Fair is really something here San Diego, so we are at least being recognized in many ways. Like I said, they helped build the Mission here, and a lot of them were sent away, we went to different reservations... I belong to the Pehchanga Reservation but all the rest of my family belong to the Luiseño.

Charles:
So you live here now in Oceanside?

Louise:
Oh, I have lived here at the mouth of the San Luis Rey River which all of us Indians claim. My mother used to tell me stories of how the Indian people would come from Pala in wagons for the summer and camp down here during the summer, then go back again.

Charles:
You were born in 1908?

Louise:
Yes 1908.

Charles:
So about in 1918, you were about 10 years old, in 1920's or so do you remember what it was like around here then?

Louise:
There were not many people around here. We knew everybody. There were different ranches, because more or less this was a ranch place. Not only that, but all of these fields (she points around the Mission) where all Ortega chilies and later on there was nothing but sugar beats. We used to have trains come down and pick up the sugar beats and take them away. So I have seen a lot of changes around here.

Charles:
You have also seen all the houses that have come?

Louise:
Oh yes. Just like they say, like mushrooms. I belong to Heritage Park in back of the Mission here, and I talk to the school children about our culture and our heritage. As long as someone can come and pick me up and take me, I never charge one cent for anything. I'm willing to go as long as they pick me up. I quit driving last year when I was 89 years old. I know all the people here, including the Mayor, and everyone has been so good to me. I have a lot of praise for Oceanside because the people here are very down to Earth.

Charles:
That's good. Myself, I'm very impressed walking here.  There was such a warm welcome for the walkers. Do you have any advice, or words for the walkers from your heart if you could talk to all of them?

Louise:
Well, a lot of things have to slow down. You know, you have to stop and think... about what you are going to do next. I have three daughters... one is a school teacher, one a dental hygienist, and the other a telephone operator and then I have nieces that I brought up, one is an airline stewardess, the other a registered nurse in Hawaii. I have raised or help raise a lot of children and they have all gone the right way. In fact I gave everyone a little plaque It is a little nice thing that I came across because I have only nice things in my house, I don't have any bad things in my house. Nice sayings and everything.

I would say to the walkers what is on this plaque.

Thank you for taking time to celebrate my 90th birthday, God bless you Louise Mona Foussat.

I wish you everything from the bottom of my heart, with my whole heart, for you to make this trip, to Sacramento. I always enjoy life, that's one thing about me, I always look to the good side of life. The creator always takes care of me.

Charles:
Thank you so much and Happy 90th Birthday Louise.

Louise:
You are very welcome.

At the end of the interview, Louise then presented me with the plaque and I will always remember her wonderful spirit in her voice and her vigor for life.

Return to SOS Homepage