In Memory of Jimi Castillo, Tongva

UPDATE: Jeanette is having a terrible time trying to get Jimi buried. The insurance won't pay anything toward the funeral until they receive a death certificate. The coroner's office won't issue a death certificate for four or five months. Please share this widely, so we can help her. It is so sad that this is the land of Jimi's ancestors, and we can't even get a plot to bury him. Please share.

Jimi Castillo, a Tongva/Acjachemen Pipe Carrier and Sun Dancer, was a proud member of the Statewide Bear Clan Society and a Marine Corps veteran (1960 to 1965) having served in the Vietnam War for which he received the Warriors Medal of Valor. For several decades, he served Native youth in California Prisons. Working as Native American Spiritual Leader for the California Youth Authority, Jimi led sweat lodge ceremonies for imprisoned Native American youth creating a space to ease tensions, practice equality, and resolve gang differences. In 2010, Jimi Castillo ran for Lieutenant Governor on the Green Party hoping to make a difference in California.

Jimi and his wife, Jeanette Castillo are well known on the Southern California pow wow trail, as he was often called upon to act as spiritual leader. Mr. Castillo worked at American Indian Changing Spirits providing sweatlodge for the clients as well as acting as Spiritual Counselor.

In 2016, Jimi and his wife, Jeanette, received President Obama’s Volunteer Service Lifetime Achievement Award for their service to the Native American Indian Community, and the same year received the Aquarium of the Pacific Heritage Award. On August 30, 2021, Jimi was asked to open the ceremony at the opening of the Academy Awards Museum with Mayor Garcetti and was featured on KTLA’s Gayle Anderson’s series on “Rethinking Thanksgiving.” Mr. Castillo passed away this past Friday at 12:40 am accompanied by the Bear Songs from his Clan Brothers. Here is Jimi’s brief history of the Tongva Nation: https://sites.google.com/view/cusdh-virtual-pow-wow/home?pli=1

We hope to help with the unexpected expenses from Jimi's unexpected passing and help his beloved wife Jeanette. We would also like to build a memorial for Jimi.