Growing Up on the Indian Land Grant

Uncle Henry's family lived on the Indian Land Grant property. This is where the U.S. Government allowed some Mission Indians to live. Many Luiseño's died during the time when Henry Rodgriguez was growing up, but his family remained intact. The article written by David Ross of the Valley Roadrunner newspaper in Valley Center, California, mentions that Uncle Henry's mother kept to the Native Indian traditions, growing food for the family and drying native herbs to be used to cooking and treatment of ailments. The family still used acorn grinding grounds near Cuca Ranch on Palomar Mountain, and, according to Henry - "never got sick". This woman below was most likely related to Henry and his band.
Delores Renterias sitting on the ground outside a house on Palomar mountain, winnowing acorn meal

Uncle Henry grew up amid still-alive lore and songs. He played with the eagle feathers in the wind, listened to the conversations of ravens, and learned to pay attention to even the smallest of the noises, signs or smells of the land. He revered his parents, and said that they were happy living on their property at the foot of the Palomar Mountain. It was still their land and the white people left them alone. In one of the interviews, Uncle Henry spoke of his mother, who passed away, but is now a guardian spirit of the mountain.