Louise Munoa Foussat, an elder of the San Luis Rey Band of Luiseno Indians, died at her home in California on Tuesday. She was 97.

Foussat was known as a tireless advocate for the tribe. She was a leader in the city of Oceanside, which recently declared August 25, her birthday, as Louise Foussat Day.

Foussat led efforts to name a park in the city after the Luiseno tribe and a playground in the Luiseno Park will be called Louise Foussat Playground. In 2007, the Louise Foussat Elementary School will open. Foussat, because of her Indian heritage, wasn't allow to attend local schools.

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Oceanside, Luiseno matriarch, 97, remembered as advocate (The North County Times 11/2)