Mountain View News Saturday, April 25, 2026 

CHRISTOPHER Nyerges 

[Nyerges is the author of “Guide to Wild Foods” “ForagingCalifornia,”and other books. He can be reached at Box 41834,
Eagle Rock, CA 90041, or www.SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com] 

LESSONS FROM THE TONGVA 

Earth Day is a good time to think about all the 
ways in which we can live more lightly on the land. You know, use 
less electricity, grow some of our own food, compost and recycle our 
waste, and so on. 

I suggest that we also take the time to learn how indigenous people 
lived here in this land before the Spanish came and took over the 
land. 

If “living lightly on the land” is of concern to you, perhaps you can 
learn from the people who once lived here hundreds of years ago 
in a pre-metal, pre-horse society. Gone are their wickiups and villages, 
but the plants they once used are still here, and the knowledge 
of their skills lives on. Plus, the modern indigenous people are still 
here, available to teach their traditions. 

When I grew up in this area, I had the regular opportunity to hike 
these mountains of my "backyard." I had a great interest in the native 
Indians. How did they live? What did our ancestors eat for 
centuries if they did not practice agriculture? I wondered if I could 
find the food plants that the natives regularly used. 

But simply identifying these plants was only the first step. I also 
wanted to taste the foods that had sustained my geographical ancestors. 
Such personal experience would be invaluable if I ever got lost while hiking. 

These plants still grow all around us, in the canyons, river beds, vacant lots, and in the chaparral and mountains. 

In July 1769, Father Junipero Serra, writing of the areas near Pasadena, said, "We found vines (wild) of a large 
size and in some cases quite loaded with grapes. We have seen Indians in immense numbers.... They continue 
to make a good subsistence from various seeds and by fishing." Wild oats (Avena fatua) and various other 
grasses were harvested for their grain. And the wild grape vines can still be found in some of the foothill canyons, 
though they rarely produce fruit today. 

ACORNS 

The main plant staple was the acorn which falls from the oak trees every fall. Acorns are edible, but very bitter 
when raw due to the presence of tannic acid. To remove the bitterness, the Native Americans first shelled the 
acorns and ground them in stone mortars. The meal was then put directly in a hollowed-out section of sandy 
stream bed, or placed in a shallow basket. Then hot water was poured over the meal so that the tannin would 
wash out. The processed acorn meal was then made into bread, or boiled into a mush-like soup and eaten cold. 

PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS 

The Indian residents of this area ate the young succulent pads and the sweet fruits of the prickly pear cactus. 
Stands of the prickly pear cactus are still common. I've eaten the raw pads in salads, or peeled, diced, and 
cooked in omelettes. The fruits are tasty raw, or made into juice, pie, jam, and even ice cream. 

YUCCA 

The yucca plant, the most important fibre plant for all the Southwestern Indians, was also a source of food. 
Both the green and ripened fruits were roasted or boiled, and the newly-emerging yucca flower stalks were also 
cut down and cooked like a giant asparagus, peeled, and eaten. 

The leaves of yucca were one of the most important fibre sources. Once processed to get just the hardy fibre, the 
leaves were made into rope or braids, which were then used to weave sandals, construct shelters, make packs,
bow strings, nets, etc. 

BERRIES AND CHERRIES 

The Gabrielinos ate the native wild berries, such as wild grapes, elderberries, blackberries, currants and gooseberries, 
manzanitas ("little apple" in Spanish). Another common food was the wild or holly-leaf cherry (Prunus 
ilicifolia). The fruit consists of a large stone wrapped by a thin layer of pulp. These wild cherry pits were dried, 
ground, and leached in much the same way as acorns, and mixed with other ingredients into a "soup." All of 
these berries and fruits can still be found throughout the foothills, making good trail snacks for hikers. 

Learning the skills and specialized knowledge of our ancestors provides us with one tool to break our unnecessary 
dependence upon others. Learning these skills instills a deep desire to "live lightly on the earth" as much 
as possible. Knowing these basic survival skills enhances our day-to-day life, and certainly increases our safety 
when we travel into the forest. I’m not naieve in believing that learning about wild plants is a solution to all our 
problems, but it is a step in the right direction. 


A PURR-FECT CHARMER: 
“TOONCES” 

Meet Tooncie, adarling littlesweetheart with a 
heart as big as her 
personality. Toonciecharms everyone she 
meets, both feline 

and human alike. 

Tooncie gets along beautifully with the otherresident cats and truly enjoys being part of the dailyhustle and bustle. She is a happy, confident girl who 
takes great pride in “helping” you work, alwaysnearby to supervise and offer moral support. Heraffectionate nature and friendly spirit make her a joyto be around. 
Though Tooncie hasbeen deeply loved, she now needs a home of her veryown where she can be the cherished companion she 
was meant to be. This petite mini panther look alike isguaranteed to win your heart with her sweetness and 
gentle presence. She is healthy and has many moreyears to enjoy life. 
If you are looking for a loving, social, and truly special 
cat, Tooncie may be the one for you. Apply to meet 
her by submitting the application at https://www.
lifelineforpets.org/toonces.html, or use the qr code. 


Pet of the Week 

Meet Achoo! This 4-year-old shepherdmix at Pasadena Humane is the perfectmix of playful and mellow. 

She’s happy to curl up next to you on thecouch (or climbright into your lap!) and will greet youwith excited 
wiggles, jumps, and plenty ofaffection. 
According to her foster, she’s mostlyhousetrained and crate trained, knows 
“sit,” absolutely loves car rides, and isgreat out on walks. 

Achoo can be a little shy with new peopleand prefers slow, calm introductions, soshe’d do best in a quieter home with anadopter who can help her feel safe and 
seen. Once she settles in, her sweet, silly 
personality really shines. 

If you’re looking for an affectionatesweetheart to share your couch, car, and 
home with, Achoo might be your girl!
And there’s no better time to adopt: fromApril 27-May 1, Pasadena Humane’s“The Price is Right” promotion will bediscounting adoptions for adult dogs, just 

like Achoo. 

The adoptionfee for dogsis $150. 

All dogadoptionsinclude spay 
or neuter,
microchip,
and age-
appropriatevaccines. 


Walk-in adoptions are available every dayfrom 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. View photos of 
adoptable pets at pasadenahumane.org. 

New adopters will receive a complimentaryhealth-and-wellness exam from VCA 
Animal Hospitals, as well as a goody bagfilled with information about how to care 
for your pet. 

Pets may not be available for adoptionand cannot be held for potential adoptersby phone calls or email. 


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