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2005 Candelaria, Ernesto 7-9-2005; Hollister
Topic Started: Nov 9 2006, 09:43 PM (287 Views)
100PercentFound
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Endangered Missing Adult



If you believe you have any information regarding this case that will be helpful in this investigation please contact:
Atwater Police Department at (209) 357-6385

Name: Ernesto Candelaria

Classification: Endangered Missing Adult
Alias / Nickname: Ernesto Cheguevara
Date of Birth: 1975-07-23
Date Missing: 2005-07-09
From City/State: Hollister, CA
Missing From (Country): USA
Age at Time of Disappearance: 29
Gender: Male
Race: Am. Indian
Height: 73 inches
Weight: 280 pounds
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Brown
Complexion: Medium
Identifying Characteristics: Tattoo of the word "Neto" written in Old English on collarbone, tattoo of "Oholone" written in Old English on abdomen, tribal tattoo on upper right arm, tattoo of a "buffalo skull" with "feathers" on right forearm, tattoo of a "rose" with tribal art around it on lower left arm, tattoo of the "sun" on right back shoulder, gap in upper teeth.
Jewelry: Possibly wearing a gold chain necklace.
Circumstances of Disappearance: Unknown. Ernesto was last seen at an acquaintance's residence in the vicinity of the 900 block of Buena Vista in Hollister, CA. His vehicle is also missing and is described as a gray, four door, 1986 Ford Taurus with red interior, oxidized paint, and CA Lic# 3TRU165.
Investigative Agency: Atwater Police Department
Phone: (209) 357-6385
Investigative Case #: AG0502069
NCIC #: M-335079549

http://theyaremissed.org/
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http://www.examiner.com/x-4319-Denver-Alte...e-are-you-Nesto

Where are you Nesto?
April 11, 1:36 PM · Add a Comment
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I sat down to write about a book I just finished re-reading, the first time I read it was 14 years ago! As I sat to write, an old friend, Nesto kept crossing my mind. Ernesto Candelaria is his name, and he's been missing since 2005. Then, a couple years ago I received an email from a friend with a link to a news story. When Nesto went missing, he had a wife and 2 sons, and the report was about the mother of his children being killed in a car wreck. At that time, I reached out to some of his family members, in hopes that I could do something for the family, especially the now parent-less little boys. I never heard back from anyone, and I figured they didn't remember me from so long ago. Certainly, I couldn't blame them for keeping their grief private.

I tried to find information on his sons or their mother, without success. I was hoping to wish her peace by name, but I'll continue to wish that for her and for the two little boys I wish nothing but the best! I will post a link at the end of this article that goes to the missing persons website and Nesto's information. I ask that you send positive thoughts and energy to him when you see his picture and realize he has two young sons without him or their mother, so please send love to those boys as well!

I met Nesto while I lived in Hollister, California in the late 80's, early 90's. His family bloodlines included Sioux and Oholone, his father was a prominent Spiritual Leader in the area. Always having had an untraceable connection and love for Sioux culture, I felt honored to be included in the weekly gatherings his family held. They were open to any and all who held a genuine interest and included Drumming, Singing, a Sweat Lodge ceremony and food after.

My introduction to the Sweat Lodge was while his father and oldest brother were away, and the group that participated that night were mostly 'newbies' to the experience. Nesto made sure the sweat was run much milder than normal for us not used to the intensity of the heat. It was still hot in the Sweat, but it wasn't until I went to the second sweat with his father in control that I realized just how mild they had ran my first sweat! When I joined in the second Sweat, I sat near the stone pit in the center, wanting to feel the heat from the stones and the power from his father. I wasn't there for long, soon making my way to the edge of the Sweat Lodge, hugging the damp earth for comfort and experienced the closest thing I've ever had to an "out of body experience"!

I can't explain the feeling I had when I took part in the Sweats his father ran, but I always felt I should understand the songs they sang in Sioux. Part of me did, and there were tears mingled with the sweat that drenched my face and body, knowing that I was re-connecting to something deep inside of me and my past life experiences. I felt grateful for being allowed to participate, while dealing with my personal feeling of shame from what "my people" had done to "their people" over the past century or two. I would have liked to have become more involved with his family, but his father was an intimidating man who I could still feel hints of resentment fighting with his acceptance of anyone who showed genuine interest and respect for his culture and Spirituality. It didn't help that I was friends with the son who was having the hardest time finding his way, ending up in jail at one point. I always hoped he realized that I wasn't one of the bad influences in Nesto's life, but that I was always there to try to keep him heading in the right direction, encouraging him to embrace that Spirituality his father had.

I remember being so proud of Nesto when he returned from Pine Ridge and the Sun Dance one year, with fresh scars upon his chest-and how proud he was of himself for taking part. While his older brothers seemed to easily embrace their Spiritual Traditions, practicing and continuing their fathers' legacy, Nesto seemed to be lost between two worlds-his Culture he was born into, and fitting in with all the 'normal' kids. I found it hard to understand, given my desires to have been born into such an opportunity to express my Spirituality in a way that connected to my family. But, we all have our challenges in life, and his life was fraught with many. The first time I met him, he was a very young teenager, sniffing rubber cement from a plastic bag for kicks, and he was a chubby boy! A few years down the line, we crossed paths once more and I couldn't believe it was the same guy-he had sprouted a good foot or so and had really become a handsome, thin young man. He wasn't sniffing glue anymore, thank Goodness! But, he still wrestled with many internal demons in regards to 'Who' he was, and what that meant to him.

Nesto and his girlfriend lived with me for a short while, and during that time a litter of kittens were born. One of the kittens was all black and we named him Sapa-Sioux for Black. Not completely original, I know, but not surprising! I now have an extra toed Manx kitty I call Tanka, for his big paws. Nesto was also the first human I tattooed, after years of practicing on oranges, grapefruits and honeydews; I was ready to try it on skin. He was more than happy to volunteer, as he already had a few badly scratched home-made tattoos on him. I knew anything I did would certainly be better than what he already had, so we sat down and he picked out a design. A Sun/Moon design is what he chose, and we put it on his back, up high on his right shoulder. No color, just the outline and it was an amazing feeling for me, 'slingin' my first ink'.

We eventually dropped out of touch, and while I have always kept him in my thoughts, I always hoped he had found some peace and discovered his own true path. I certainly never expected him to end up on a list of Missing Persons. The inevitable "what if" and "why" questions bombarded my mind when I found out. What if I'd kept in better touch, why hadn't I kept in better touch, what if he's dead? What happened to him and why!? But, in the end, we are the only ones who have true control over the paths our lives take, and I may never know in this life the answers to those questions.

Reading the book I (will be soon discussing here) just finished simply brought him to the forefront of my mind once more. Remembering the Sweats, the Drumming and the Honoring of the Elders Pow-Wow his family helped organize-these are all precious memories to me. I was just starting to cut my own path to my individual Spirituality during this time in my life, and those experiences have always stuck with me as Highlights on my journey. I'm again feeling the desire to somehow connect to that Sioux Energy once more.

I do believe that I lived past lives with the Sioux, and that there were good lives and tragic ones. I know it may seem silly to some, but as pretty as Black Hills Jewelry pieces are, I refuse to wear any. I believe the Paha Sapa (Black Hills) were wrongly taken from the Sioux by greed for the gold found within them. The Black Hills are sacred to the Sioux, and call me Un-American, but I find it offensive that we chose to carve out American Presidents' profiles in an area of land the Sioux hold sacred. I speak only for myself here, but to me, it's like a dog marking it's territory "This is MINE, not YOURS!". I can appreciate the amazing talent and amount of work that went into it, but someday when I make it to South Dakota, I'm not going there-I'll be visiting the Crazy Horse monument.

Enough of my own crazy ideas, I'd like to take a moment to voice my intentions behind writing about Nesto and the Sioux here today. Wherever Nesto is today, in spirit or in flesh, I wish him Great Peace within his spirit and soul. I wish Strength for his Warrior Sons who carry on his spirit through their lives, and more than anything else I wish for this: Continued healing for all Aboriginal and Native Cultures around the Planet. If the human race is to survive, we must accept and celebrate our differences as well as our common threads, and learn to forgive others and ourselves for the monstrosities done to individuals and entire cultures of people in the name of 'progress'.

Mitakuye Oyasin, We are all Related. (This is what we'd say as we left the Sweat Lodge)

Peace be with you Nesto, you always carry a special place in my heart, and if you are alive and well somewhere, may we meet again. Know that in me you always have a friend.

http://www.theyaremissed.org/ncma/gallery/...php?A200603834S
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Ernesto Candelaria


Above: Candelaria, circa 2005


Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance

Missing Since: July 9, 2005 from Hollister, California
Classification: Missing
Date Of Birth: July 23, 1975
Age: 81 years old
Height and Weight: 6'1, 280 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Black hair, brown eyes. Candelaria's nickname is Nesto. He may spell first name "Onesto" and may use the last name Cheguevara. He is of Native American descent. Candelaria has a gap between his upper teeth. He has the following tattoos: the name "Neto" in old English script on his collarbone, the name "Oholone" in Old English script on his abdomen, tribal art on his upper right arm, a buffalo skull with feathers on his right forearm, a rose with tribal art around it on his lower left arm, a sun on the back of his right shoulder and the words "Indian Pride" on the front of his forearms.
Clothing/Jewelry Description: Possibly a gold chain necklace.


Details of Disappearance

Candelaria was last seen at an acquaintance's residence in the vicinity of the 900 block of Buena Vista in Hollister, California. His family heard from on July 11, but not since then. He told his relatives he was thinking of visiting Phoenix, Arizona. Candelaria has never been heard from again. His gray four-door 1986 Ford Taurus with a red interior, oxidized paint and California license plates numbered 3TRU165 is also missing. Candelaria frequented bars in the Atwater, California area prior to his disappearance. Atwater police are investigating.


Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Atwater Police Department
209-357-6385



Source Information
The National Center for Missing Adults
Bay Area Indian Calendar



Updated 1 time since October 12, 2004.

Last updated January 22, 2006; casefile added.

Charley Project Home


http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/c/cand...ia_ernesto.html

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