History of Mission
San Juan Capistrano - Indians of the Mission
Indians of the Mission Facts
Were first called Acjachemen
Were a peaceful people. Were not a 'war' tribe.
Were called an ocean people because of their close connection
with the sea. The sea gave them life.
Were hunters and gatherers.
Lived in large family unit villages.
They had their own religion before the introduction of Catholicism.
Lived in peace and harmony with all of the Grandfathers (God's)
creation.
Before they lived in adobe houses or the mission, they lived
in shelters called Kiitka made from river reeds or tules.
With the arrival of the Spanish Missionaries and soldiers, their
whole way of life changed and they would now be called Juaneņos
after San Juan Capistrano.
There is no longer any full-blooded Acjachemen (Juaneņos) left;
however there are many of their descendants still living in the
San Juan Capistrano Valley. A handful now work at the Mission
and are proud to be a part of this beautiful place that was built
and maintained for many years by their ancestors.
