(MUSIC PLAYING) - ES UNA MUTUA - IT'S A MUTUAL SOCIETY THAT HELPS EACH OTHER.

AS FAR AS THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY TO NORTHERN NEW MEXICO SOUTHERN COLORADO PEOPLE.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE THAT IS UNIQUE, AND GENUINELY OURS.

- WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOLUTIONS, YOU NEED TO LOOK EVERYWHERE.

- IT'S VERY CULTURALLY RELEVANT AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT DESERVES TO BE PRESERVED AND CONTINUED.

- I HOPE I DO MY GRANDFATHER PROUD.

(MUSIC PLAYING) - I REMEMBER DRIVING THROUGH TOWN WITH MY GRANDPARENTS, AND MY PARENTS AND SEEING THE BIGGEST BUILDING IN TOWN HERE IN ANTONITO.

AND I RECALL ASKING MY GRANDPARENTS WHAT DOES THE S.P.M.D.T.U STAND FOR?

- THE INITIAL STANDS FOR SOCIEDAD, PROTECCION, MUTUA, DE TRABAJADORES UNIDOS.

THE SOCIETY FOR THE MUTUAL PROTECTION OF WORKERS.

BEING A CHILD THE S.P.M.D.T.U WAS ALWAYS A BUILDING HERE IN TOWN THAT HAD SUCH LIKE-- MYSTIQUE AND MYSTERY TO IT.

FOR A LONG TIME IT WAS CLOSED.

AND NOBODY GOT TO GET IN HERE.

IT WASN'T UNTIL I JOINED, DID I UNDERSTAND REALLY WHAT IT STOOD FOR.

IT WAS MORE THAN JUST THE BIGGEST BUILDING ON THE STREET OF ANTONITO.

- THE S.P.M.D.T.U IS THE OLDEST HISPANIC ORGANIZATION DESIGNED TO TRY TO COMBAT DISCRIMINATION.

- FIRST OF ALL IT WAS A SECRET ORGANIZATION.

THAT'S WHY PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT.

- THE S.P.M.D.T.U GOES WAY BACK.

AND THEY'RE STILL IN OPERATION.

- IT'S A MUTUAL AID SOCIETY.

WE HERE TO HELP EACH OTHER.

[SPEAKING SPANISH] I'LL GIVE YOU MY HAND IN FRIENDSHIP.

BUT IF YOU NEED HELP, I'M HERE TO HELP YOU.

THAT'S AS BEAUTIFUL AS IT GETS.

(MUSIC PLAYING) -THEY DECIDED TO FORM THE S.P.M.

BECAUSE IN THOSE DAYS THERE WAS A LOT OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST MEXICANOS AND SPANISH-SPEAKING PEOPLE IN THE VALLEY.

WE REALLY HAD TO TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER.

AND THAT'S REALLY PART OF THE LATINO-- TRADITION ANYWAY.

- AFTER THE WAR, THE MEXICAN WAR, THE PEOPLE IN THIS AREA BECAME SECOND-CLASS CITIZENS.

IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU'RE HISPANIC, YOU'VE BEEN HERE 500 YEARS, OR EVEN FROM A NATIVE AMERICAN POINT OF VIEW, IF YOU'VE BEEN HERE, OH YOU KNOW, - 15,000 YEARS.

- THEY'RE CALLED MEXICAN, THEY'RE CALLED BY THEIR FORMER NATIONALITY.

THEY'RE NOT CALLED BY US CITIZENS.

THEY ARE NOW IN AN ENGLISH-SPEAKING TERRITORY.

ENGLISH LAWS AND NEW SETTLERS COMING IN.

- THE WHOLE DIFFERENT SYSTEM GOT SUPERIMPOSED ON THE POPULACE.

- THINGS CHANGED.

AND NOT EVERYBODY UNDERSTOOD HOW THINGS WORKED.

- THE ECONOMY WAS TRANSFORMED FROM A TRADING BARTER ECONOMY TO A CASH ECONOMY WITH A COMING OF THE RAILROAD.

- BUT HOW WERE THEY GOING TO PAY THEIR TAXES?

WHEN THEY DON'T HAVE HARD CASH.

IN ORDER TO GET HARD CASH, YOU HAVE TO SELL YOUR PROPERTY.

YOU HAVE TO SELL YOUR LIVESTOCK.

1862 WE GOT THE HOMESTEAD ACT.

SO, PEOPLE ARE JUST COMING OUT AND GRABBING LAND WHERE THEY CAN.

- OF COURSE THEY'RE GOING TO TRY TO GRAB LAND THAT'S ALREADY BEEN SETTLED.

THAT'S ALREADY BEEN-- WHOSE GOT ACEQUIAS OR IRRIGATIONS ALREADY DUG.

- WITHIN 10 YEARS, 90% OF THE LAND WAS LOST.

- THE S.P.M.D.T.U IN PART, WAS CREATED AS AN ANSWER TO WHAT WAS PERCEIVED AS AN ONSLAUGHT WATER RIGHTS AND LAND RIGHTS.

THE BASIS OF LIFE IN THE SAN LUIS VALLEY.

- LAND AND WATER IS THE GENESIS OF IT ALL.

- THEY LOST THEIR LIVELIHOOD ESSENTIALLY - PEOPLE HAD TO LOOK FOR OTHER JOBS.

AND SO THAT REALLY FUELED THESE FAMILIES WHO GOT JOBS AT THE RAILROADS, GOT JOBS AT THE MINES.

AND THE NEWSPAPERS AT THE TIME STATED THAT THE PEOPLE IN THE SAN LUIS VALLEY WERE CHEAP LABOR.

AND THAT THEY WEREN'T WORTH VERY MUCH.

SO THAT REALLY GAVE RISE TO THE UNIONS WHO-- THEY WEREN'T TRYING TO GET ANYTHING MORE.

THEY JUST WANTED EQUAL RIGHTS.

- THERE WAS A LOT OF DISCRIMINATION.

HENCE YOU HAD ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE SOCIEDAD BEING CREATED AS AN ANSWER TO DISCRIMINATION AND THOSE ISSUES.

THE SAN LUIS VALLEY WAS THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE S.P.M.D.T.U.

- THIS IS THE CRADLE OF THE ORGANIZATION.

IT WAS FOUNDED IN 1900.

IT WAS TO FIGHT DISCRIMINATION IN THE FIELDS.

DISCRIMINATION IN RAILROADS AND DISCRIMINATION IN THE MINES.

IT'S TO PROTECT THE LAND, PROTECT THE WATER.

- THIS IS MORE COMMUNITY MINDED WAY OF SOLVING AN ISSUE.

- IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR ANY HISPANICS, PEOPLE OF COLOR TO GET INSURED BY MAJOR US INSURANCE COMPANIES.

THE SOCIETY ACTUALLY STARTED AN INSURANCE COMPANY.

THEY STARTED SELLING POLICIES TO INSURE THEIR MEMBERS.

- THEY EVEN HAD A REVOLVING LOAN FUND, WITHIN THE INSURANCE COMPANY.

- WERE LIKE PULLING THE MONEY TOGETHER AND THEY WERE ACTUALLY LENDING MONEY TO THE MEMBERS.

THAT WOULD OTHERWISE NOT QUALIFY FOR A LOAN AT A BANK FOR EXAMPLE.

- SO YES S.P.M.D.T.U.

WERE IN LARGE PART WAS A COMMUNITY STRUGGLE TO ANSWER THESE KINDS OF ISSUES AND TO PROVIDE A FOCUS, A WAY OF ORGANIZING.

-YOU GET THE SUPPORT FROM THE OTHER MEMBERS.

FOR EXAMPLE, SAY ONE OF THE MEMBERS WIFE WOULD DIE THEN THE MEMBERS WOULD TAKE CHARGE OF THAT PERSON'S FARM.

THEY'D FARM IT, THEY'D HELP THEM, THEY HELP THE WIDOW.

- AND DEALING WITH FUNERAL ISSUES.

THEY WOULD COME ABOUT AND SUPPORT A FAMILY.

WOULD UPHOLD A COMMUNITY IN THAT WAY.

THEY WOULD ALL, ALONG WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS, THEY WOULD ALL GET TOGETHER AND PROVIDE A MEAL TO THE DOLIENTES.

WHICH MEANS THOSE THAT ARE HURTING BECAUSE SOMEBODY DIED.

- WHEN A MEMBER WOULD PASS ON.

THEY WILL FORM COMMITTEES TO GO HELP THE FAMILY OF THE DECEASED MEMBER.

LIKE IN THOSE DAYS BRINGING WOOD, PITCHING SOMEBODY, GIVE IT TO THE FAMILY.

THEY WOULD HELP PEOPLE BRING IN THE CROPS.

IF YOU GOT SICK, THEY WOULD APPOINT A COMMITTEE TO GO VISIT YOU IN THE HOSPITAL.

[INDISCERNIBLE] WHEN WE HAVE A MEETING WE KIND OF GIVE AN UPDATE ON OUR MEMBERS, ESPECIALLY IF SOMEONE'S SICK, YOU KNOW.

IF SOMEONE'S GONE TO VISIT THEM, HOW HE'S DOING.

IF THEY NEED HELP.

- THEY DECIDED LET'S UNITE.

LET'S COME TOGETHER, THERE'S STRENGTH IN NUMBERS.

AND THATS WHAT THEY DID.

BUT THE S.P.M.D.T.U.

IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF WHAT HAPPENED THROUGHOUT THE SOUTHWEST.

THERE WAS A PROLIFERATION OF MUTUALLY SOCIETY THAT WILL FORM IMMEDIATELY AFTER 1848.

IN TEXAS, ARIZONA, NEW MEXICO, CALIFORNIA.

- NOW THE S.P.M.

WAS FOUNDED IN 1900.

BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF SIMILAR MUTUAL GROUPS.

HISPANIC MUTUAL GROUPS ARE FOUND THROUGHOUT THE SOUTHWEST.

- AND WE PRIDE BECAUSE WE'RE ONE OF THE REMAINING MUTUALLY SOCIETYS THAT STILL EXIST UNTIL TODAY.

(MUSIC PLAYING) S.P.M.

IS IN A LITTLE TOWN IN SOUTHERN COLORADO IN SAN LUIS VALLEY.

IN A TOWN CALLED ANTONITO.

THAT'S FOR THE ORGANIZATION WAS FOUNDED.

-THIS BUILDING IS GOING TO BE 100 YEARS OLD IN THREE MORE YEARS.

IT'S AN IMPORTANT BUILDING.

IT'S REGISTERED IN BOTH COLORADO AND THE NATIONAL REGISTRY OF HISTORIC PLACES.

[INDISCERNIBLE] VICTOR MANZANAREZ WAS THE ARCHITECT AND IT SERVED AS A PROTOTYPE ARCHITECTURALLY FOR SEVERAL BUILDINGS IN THE VALLEY.

LIKE SAM'S COVERED WAGON IN SAN LUIS.

- WE ARE STANDING IN THE SALA OF THE S.P.M.D.T.U.

IT IS KIND OF LIKE A GYMNASIUM TYPE SPACE.

THERE USED TO BE DANCES HELD HERE, BOXING MATCHINGS, WEDDINGS.

A LOT OF COMMUNITY EVENTS AROUND HERE.

- ACTUALLY, I HAD MY WEDDING DANCE HERE, 1978.

- THAT BUILDING HOSTED WEDDINGS, DANCES, ONE END THERE'S A STAGE.

- THAT HAS TWO DRESSING ROOMS, OKAY.

SO ONE TIME THEY HAD PERFORMANCES, PLAYS IN THERE.

THE TOP OF IT THERE IS A PROJECTION ROOM.

SO THEY SHOWED MOVIES IN THERE.

- AS YOU CAN SEE BACK THERE, YOU CAN SEE WHERE THEY USED TO HAVE THE PROJECTOR.

WHERE THEY USED TO SHOW THE MOVIES.

THIS WAY.

(MUSIC PLAYING) THE BUILDING IS 7000 SQUARE FEET WHICH IS ALMOST THE SIZE OF A BASKETBALL COURT AND IN FACT THEY DID PLAY BASKETBALL IN THERE.

AND THEY ALSO PLAYED ROLLER-SKATING.

IT WAS A ROLLER-SKATING RINK AT ONE TIME.

- I CAN IMAGINE THERE WAS A LOT OF LIFE, THERE WAS A LOT OF LAUGHTER, THERE WAS A LOT OF ENERGY THAT HAPPENED IN THIS PLACE.

- S.P.M.D.T.U.

SPONSORED A LOT OF GREAT COMMUNITY EVENTS.

[BACKGROUND CHATTER] IT USED TO HAVE WRESTLING EVENTS HERE TOO.

- THIS WAS FROM THE ANNIVERSARY THAT WAS HELD IN 1961, 26TH OF NOVEMBER.

THESE ARE SOME OF THE SPONSORS THAT ACTUALLY SPONSORED THE CONVENTION.

1964, 1975.

- WE HAD A POLITICAL GROUP THAT WAS HERE FROM DENVER.

- MUSIC BY THE SONICS.

- 1964, EL CORRIDO DE KENNEDY.

I'M THE FOUNDER.

- THERE'S A MAN BY THE NAME OF CELEDONIO MONDRAGON.

HE STILL REVERED IN OUR ORGANIZATION THAT WHENEVER HIS NAME IS MENTIONED, EVERYBODY STANDS UP.

NO MATTER HOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, WE STAND UP.

WE HAVE AN OFFICIAL HYMN.

AND EVEN IN OUR LOCAL MEETINGS WE'RE SUPPOSED TO SING THE HIMNO OFICIAL.

[SINGING] AND WE'RE STANDING IN THESE TWO LINES AS WE'RE SINGING A SONG.

EVERYBODY IS SINGING AND WE HAVE--SOMEONE PLAYING THE GUITAR.

- AND IN THAT HIMNO OFICIAL THERE WAS ONE PART THAT SAID, SALUDAR A LA BANDERA.

YOU KNOW IT'S SALUTE TO FLAG.

AND WHEN WE SAY THAT, THEN EVERYBODY HAS TO SALUTE THE FLAG.

IF IT'S THE S.P.M.

FLAG OR THE AMERICAN FLAG, USUALLY THERE'S AN AMERICAN FLAG IN THE ROOM.

- WE WOULD SAY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

BUSINESS WOULD BE CONDUCTED.

WE'D FIND OUT HOW MUCH PEOPLE'S DUES WERE.

AND THEY TALKED ABOUT COMMUNITY ISSUES RIGHT HERE.

THAT IF SOMEBODY NEEDED SOMETHING, THEY WOULD MENTION IT.

- ALL OF OUR MEETINGS ARE IN SPANISH.

EVEN TODAY.

THEY HAVE A CONSTITUTION, THEY HAVE BYLAWS THE S.P.M.

IS SET UP WITH A CONCEJO SUPERIOR WHICH IS LIKE THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE WHOLE ORGANIZATION, AND ALL THESE LOCAL CHAPTERS.

- DURING IT'S HEYDAY, THE SOCIETY IS SPREAD FROM ALL THE WAY FROM CHEYENNE, WYOMING THROUGH LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO THROUGH THE SOUTH.

AND THROUGH THE WEST ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE DONGLE AND TO THE EAST.

ALL THE WAY TO PREMERO, TRINIDAD, AND THAT AREA.

AT ONE TIME THE S.P.M.

HAD 65 LOCAL CHAPTERS.

THESE DIFFERENT CONCILIOS WERE FOUND IN ALL THE SMALL LITTLE IN SOUTHERN COLORADO AND NORTHERN NEW MEXICO.

NOW EACH ONE OF THOSE LITTLE CONCILIOS OF LOCAL COUNCILS HAD A BUILDING ALSO.

YOU GO TO SAN LUIS THEY ARE IN CHAMA YOU CAN STILL SEE SOME OF THE BUILDINGS.

MADE OUT OF ADOBE ALL OF THE MEMBERS CAME TOGETHER AND BUILD IT.

THEY ALL DID IT THROUGH THEIR OWN LABOR AND THERE IS NINE OFFICERS FROM PRESIDENT TO DOORMAN.

SO ONCE THOSE CITIES COULD GET NINE MEMBERS TO A MEETING THEN THEY COULD FORM A CHAPTER.

AND THEN IT BECAME NAME OF THAT TOWN YOU KNOW LIKE CONCILIO NUMERO UNO ANTONITO.

TYPICALLY, HOW YOU JOIN USUALLY IT WAS BY WORD-OF-MOUTH IN MY CASE ONE OF MY WIFE'S UNCLES TOLD ME ABOUT HE WAS A MEMBER IN ALAMOSA, AND ACTUALLY HE WAS THE TREASURER SECRETARY.

SO HE WAS VERY MUCH ABOUT HERMAN MARTINEZ.

MY FAMILY WAS FROM CONEJOS COUNTY AND MY GRANDFATHER WAS A MEMBER OF THE CONCILIO OF S.P.M.D.T.U.

AND HE WAS A PROMINENT MEMBER OF CONCILIO NUMERO DOS THE SECOND CONCILIO.

THE FIRST ONE BEING ANTONITO THE SECOND ONE BEING CAPUIIN.

I JOINED THE S.P.M IN 1967 ALMOST 54 YEARS AGO.

I WAS AT STUDENT AT ADAM STATE UNIVERSITY.

FIRST I JOINED AT THE CONCILIO IN ALAMOSA.

WHICH IS NUMBER 19 AND THEN WE MOVED TO DENVER LATER ON I JOINED CONCILIO SIETE NUMBER SEVEN.

MY GRANDMOTHER ON MY PATERNAL SIDE I THINK WAS INVOLVED BUT CERTAINLY MY PATERNAL GRANDFATHER WAS ON MY MATERNAL GRANDMOTHER'S SIDE SHE WAS VERY MUCH INVOLVED.

THAT BUILDING IS THE FEMINILAS.

FEMINILAS MEANS FEMININE ONES.

LAS FAMINLIAS WERE PART OF THE S.P.M.D.T.U.. A LADY'S AID SOCIETY.

YOU COULD JOIN BUT SOMEBODY HAD TO SPONSOR YOU.

SO MY MOTHER-IN-LAW SPONSORED ME TO JOIN.

SO I JOINED THE FAMINLIAS.

AND FOR ME IT WAS A BIG HONOR.

I FIRST LEARNED ABOUT THE S.P.M.D.T.U.

FROM MY GRANDFATHER DANIEL VALDEZ HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE CONCILIO IN ESPINOZA.

AND I'VE BEEN A MEMBER SINCE 1978.

I HOLD THE OFFICE OF CALIFICADOR OF THE SUPERIOR.

- I JOINED THE S.P.M.D.T.U.

IN 1978.

- I WAS INVITED BY A FRIEND OF MINE HERMAN MARTINEZ.

I SERVED AS PRESIDENTE SUPERIOR FROM 2000 TO 2005.

AND PRESENTLY, I'M THE CONSEJERO SUPERIOR.

- I AM FROM THE SMALL COMMUNITY 7 MILES WEST OF HERE.

LAS MESITAS, COLORADO AND I AM A MEMBER OF THE S.P.M.D.T.U.

CONCILIO NUMERO UNO.

HERE IN ANTONITO, COLORADO.

I WAS INTRODUCED TO THE S.P.M.D.T.U.

FORMALLY TO BECOME A MEMBER KATE IN 2010.

BY MY FRIEND ROJILIO BRIONES.

I DECIDED TO JOIN AFTER I DID SOME PERSONAL RESEARCH WITHIN MY FAMILY.

I WAS READING UP ON THE S.P.M.D.T.U.

AND I SAW THAT MY GREAT-GREAT-GRANDFATHER ELIJIO RIVAL WAS THE SIGNER TO THE PREAMBLE.

AND I WAS JUST FLIPPING THROUGH THIS BOOK WHEN I NOTICED THERE ON PAGE 18, THIS NAME ELIJIO RIVAL THAT WOULD BE MY GREAT-GREAT GRANDFATHER FROM LAS MESITAS, COLORADO 7 MILES TO THE WEST.

SO BY SEEING HIS NAME IN THIS BOOK, AS BEING A SIGNER TO THE PREAMBLE.

I FELT THAT ALMOST A DUTY FOR ME TO JOIN THE S.P.M.D.T.U.

TO DO MY PART.

TO GIVE A LITTLE BIT OF MY LIFE, HOWEVER LONG I MEAN MAY BE BLESSED TO LIVE TO HELP CONTINUE THE ORGANIZATION TO LIVE.

SO I FELT A GREAT TIE TO THIS, NOT ONLY IS THIS MAN ELIJIO RIVAL REVAL MY GREAT-GREAT- GRANDFATHER, HIS INITIALS E.R.

IS MY FAMILY'S CATTLE BRAND.

SO WHEN I SAW THAT ELIJIO RIVAL, I WAS LIKE WOW THAT'S ALMOST-- HOW CAN I SAY--A SIGN I GUESS YOU'D SAY.

THAT'S AN AGREEMENT THAT I NEED TO JOIN THIS ORGANIZATION AND KEEP IT GOING IN MEMORY OF MY MY GREAT-GREAT-GRANDFATHER ELIJIO RIVAL.

- I FOUND OUT THAT I HAD A DIRECT TIE TO THIS SO I THOUGHT THIS WAS IMPORTANT TO JOIN.

- THE MEMBERSHIP WAS STARTING TO DWINDLE.

THERE WASN'T VERY MANY YOUNGER PERSONS JOINING AT THE TIME.

SO I JUST FELT ALMOST DRIVEN TO JOIN.

ALMOST FELT LIKE IT WAS A DUTY TO KEEP THE ORGANIZATION GOING.

AND I'VE BEEN IN THIS CONCILIO NOW FOR 12 YEARS.

AND I CONTINUE TO SERVE AS THE IN THE CAPACITY OF THE GUARDA, THE GUARD TOO TO THE COUNCIL.

- WE HAVE OUR GUARD TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE IN THE MEETING IS A MEMBER.

- WHEN WE HAVE OUR MEETINGS, THERE IS A NEW PASSWORD THAT'S GIVEN OUT TO THE MEMBERS.

SO THE GUARDIA IN WHICH CAPACITY I SERVE.

I WALK UP TO THE MEMBERSHIP TO THE HERMONS AND THE HERMANAS AND I SHAKE THEIR HAND AND THEY HAVE TO TELL ME THE PASSWORD IN ORDER FOR ME TO LET THEM IN THE MEETING.

SO I WANTED TO SHOW YOU THIS HERE.

LOOK AT THIS.

SO YOU CAN IMAGINE SOMEONE COMING UP, [KNOCKING] AND THEY HAVE TO TELL ME THE PASSWORD.

AND LET THEM IN.

PRETTY NIFTY.

[LAUGHING] BEING PART OF THE S.P.M.D.T.U.

MEANS TO ME IS PRIDE.

IT'S SOMETHING ORIGINAL.

IT'S SOMETHING VERY UNIQUE.

I BELIEVE IT'S AN ORGANIZATION THAT IS SOMETHING THAT CONEJO'S COUNTY, SOMETHING THAT THE STATE OF COLORADO SPECIFICALLY, SOUTHERN COLORADO IS TRULY THEIRS'S.

AS FAR AS THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY, THE NORTHERN NEW MEXICO SOUTHERN COLORADO PEOPLE.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE THAT IS UNIQUE AND GENUINELY OURS.

THERE IS A UNIQUE STORY BEHIND THIS DIVISA.

EACH MEMBER WHEN YOU'RE INITIATED, YOU'RE PRESENTED ONE OF THESE DIVISA.

THEY DON'T LOOK LIKE THIS ANYMORE.

THIS ONE HERE IS OVER 100 YEARS OLD.

THIS WAS GIVEN TO ME BY MY AUNT'S HUSBAND'S.

HIS NAME WAS GILBERT MARTINEZ, THIS USED TO BELONG TO HIS FATHER A DIAZ MARTINEZ.

IN 1901 THAT GENTLEMAN ALIAS WAS BORN.

A STORY WAS TOLD TO ME THAT HE WANTED TO JOIN THE SERVICE WHEN HE TURNED 18 IN 1919.

HOWEVER, I BELIEVE HE HAD A HEALTH PROBLEM WHEN I WAS TOLD HE WAS NOT ABLE TO JOIN THE SERVICE.

SO HE JOINED THE NEXT BEST THING, WHICH WAS THE S.P.M.D.T.U.

AND THIS WAS HIS DAVISA AS YOU CAN SEE THIS IS FROM A CONCILIO NUMERO TRES.

COUNSEL NUMBER THREE.

MOGOTE, COLORADO.

- 1900 WE DIDN'T HAVE CARS THEN.

THEY HAD TO GO HORSEBACK OR IN A WAGON.

THE REASON THIS IS TORN, RIGHT THERE IS WHAT I WAS TOLD IS WHEN HE WAS RIDING HIS HORSE.

THAT RUBBED THERE AND IT RUBBED IT RAW.

BUT HE USE TO RIDE TO THE MEETINGS FROM PAISAJES A RAFAEL ON HORSEBACK TO COME TO THE MEETINGS.

AND IN THE BACKSIDE KATE WITH ONE OF OUR MEMBERS DIED, WE TURN IT AROUND A IT AND YOU WEAR IT AT THEIR FUNERAL SERVICE BACKWARDS.

EXAMPLES OF THESE THIS OLD, ARE ALL IN THE GROUND WITH THE MEMBERS THAT HAVE DIED.

THEY BURY THEM WITH THEM.

BUT HE NEVER GOT BURIED WITH HIS HIS SON GILBERT DECIDED TO KEEP THIS, AND HE WAS NEVER A MEMBER.

HE KNEW THAT I WAS A MEMBER OF THE S.P.M.D.T.U., AS ONE OF HIS GIFTS ON HIS DEATHBED, HE GAVE THIS TO ME IN TEARS.

AND HE TOLD ME ALWAYS WEAR THIS IN MEMORY OF MY FATHER.

BUT THERE ARE VERY FEW THESE AND THIS IS ONE OF MY MOST CHERISHED POSSESSIONS.

I DON'T BRING THIS OUT VERY MUCH.

THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST GIFTS I'VE EVER BEEN GIVEN IN MY LIFE.

VERY PROUD OF IT.

- THIS FLAG, WE TAKE IT TO ALL OUR CONVENTIONS AND CARRY IT WITH US IN THE PARADE.

WE TAKE IT TO FUNERALS ALSO.

- WELL IT'S REALLY SURVIVED BECAUSE THE MEMBERS HAVE MADE A COMMITMENT TO IT.

- THE ORGANIZATION'S BEEN A BIG PART OF MY LIFE.

IT'S A GOOD ORGANIZATION, IT'S GOOD TO RETAIN THE HISTORY AND CULTURE OF THIS ORGANIZATION.

- I THINK IT'S A SENSE OF PRIDE FOR THE COMMUNITY.

IT'S BEEN HERE A LONG TIME.

PEOPLE CAN RELATE TO IT.

THEY SEE THAT IT'S STILL HERE.

AND THEY FEEL A SENSE OF PRIDE IN THAT DAY.

THEY KNOW THAT IT'S SOMETHING THAT THEY LIKE TO KEEP GOING.

AND THAT'S A GOOD THING.

-THIS BUILDING ISN'T VANDALIZED AT ALL, THE WINDOWS ARE STILL INTACT.

THEY'RE NOT BROKEN.

THE STATUE OUTSIDE IS NOT DEFACED, THIS BUILDING HAS A LOT OF REAL COMMUNITY PRIDE.

SO THAT-- I BELIEVE OUR COMMUNITY OF ANTONITO ARE VERY PROUD OF THIS BUILDING.

- WE DECIDED TO RESTORE THE BUILDING DOWN IN ANTONITO.

SO WE'VE GOTTEN SEVERAL GRANTS FROM NOT ONLY THE STATE HISTORICAL FUND HERE IN DENVER.

THAT HELP TO RESTORE BUILDINGS, BUT ALSO FROM THE SANGRE DE CRISTO FUND.

YOU HEARD OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA DOWN IN ALAMOSA.

- SO ONCE AGAIN BE A COMMUNITY CENTER WHERE PEOPLE CAN HAVE WEDDINGS, CAN HAVE DANCES, CAN HAVE MOVIES.

- THIS BUILDING IS ACTUALLY IN DISREPAIR.

THAT WALL IS ABOUT TO FALL DOWN.

SO THAT'S PART OF THE IMMEDIATE PRIORITY, YEAH.

- SO HOPEFULLY ALL THIS WILL BE ADDRESSED SOON.

AGAIN, IT'S A LABOR OF LOVE.

- THESE ARE THE ACTUAL PLANS FOR HOW WE'RE GOING TO RESTORE THE BUILDING.

HISTORICAL FUNDING.

THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON TO UPGRADE THE BUILDING TO RENOVATE IT.

ONE OF THEM WAS $1 MILLION GRANT FROM THE HISTORICAL FUND AND THERE WAS ANOTHER GRANT ABOUT $250,000.

SO THINGS LIKE THAT WE-- THAT'S PRETTY GOOD.

WE CAN DO A LOT OF WORK ON THIS BUILDING, DO A LOT OF UPGRADES ON IT.

AND GET UP TO WHERE IT CAN BE USED.

ONCE IT'S FIXED UP AND PLUMBING IS A GOOD, ELECTRICAL IS GOOD.

THEN IT CAN BE UTILIZED.

- WE'RE GOING TO TURN ONE OF THE PARTS OF THE BUILDING WHICH IS WHAT WE USE AS AN OFFICE NOW.

WE'RE GOING TO TURN IT INTO A MUSEUM OF THE S.P.M.

- WE DON'T HAVE AS MANY MEMBERS AS WE USED TO HAVE.

WE DON'T WE DON'T HAVE AS MANY CONCILIOS AS WE USED TO HAVE.

BUT WE'RE STILL HERE.

- MOST OF THE MEMBERS NOW ARE OLDER AND WE NEED TO GET THE YOUTH INVOLVED SO WE CAN KEEP IT GOING, KEEP THE ORGANIZATION GOING.

KEEP A HISTORY ALIVE.

SO IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE WANT TO TRY TO GET THE YOUTH MORE INVOLVED IN, BECAUSE THAT IS THE FUTURE.

MATTER OF FACT, JUST LAST YEAR MY DAUGHTER WAS INITIATED INTO THE S.P.M.D.T.U.

SHE LIVES IN DENVER.

BUT SHE WAS INITIATED INTO A CONCILIO IN ALAMOSA.

I HAVE ANOTHER DAUGHTER ALSO LIVES IN DENVER, THAT'S CONSIDERING JOINING.

I THINK ROGELIO HAS THREE OF HIS KIDS THAT ARE IN THE ASSOCIATION - I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE TAUGHT TO YOUNGER PERSONS.

I AM TEACHING MY DAUGHTERS NOW.

MY DAUGHTER ANALISA LUCIA WHO IS 10.

AND MY DAUGHTER MARKEL ALMA WHO IS SIX.

TO VALUE THIS ORGANIZATION.

TO LET THEM KNOW THAT THEY HAVE A HISTORY IN IT.

AND THAT ITS SOMETHING THAT THEY NEED TO, IN TIME SHOULD THEY CHOOSE TO.

AND I HOPE THEY DO, THAT THEY JOIN.

IT'S SOMETHING LIKE I SAY THAT'S VERY UNIQUE.

IT'S VERY CULTURALLY RELEVANT, AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT DESERVES TO BE PRESERVED AND CONTINUED.

SO THEN, PROTECCION MUTUA, IT'S A MUTUAL SOCIETY THAT HELPS EACH OTHER.

IN OUR COMPETITIVE WORLD TODAY YOU DON'T SEE THAT VERY MUCH.

PEOPLE HELPING EACH OTHER.

WHAT I'VE COME TO LEARN FROM THE HERMANOS THAT HAVE MENTORED ME IS, THE AMOUNT OF RESPECT THAT WE ENDEAR TO ONE ANOTHER.

IT'S SUCH A LOVING AND GIVING FRATERNAL ORGANIZATION WHEN WE SEE EACH OTHER.

WE ARE GENERALLY PLEASED TO SEE ONE ANOTHER, AND WE GREET EACH OTHER WITH HUGS.

IT'S ALMOST FEELS LIKE A SECOND FAMILY, IN A WAY, AN EXTENDED FAMILY.

SOMETHING UNIQUE THAT WE'RE ALL A PART OF.

- AND IT'S JUST A GREAT ORGANIZATION TO BE PART OF.

AND I WANT TO KEEP THE TRADITION GOING.

- S.P.M.

STILL EXISTS.

I'M A MEMBER OF THE S.P.M.

IT'S A REFLECTION THAT THE STRUGGLE GOES ON.

AND THAT UNTIL THERE IS COMPLETE EQUITY, THE STRUGGLE WILL CONTINUE TO GO ON.

I THINK THOSE KINDS OF ORGANIZATIONS FIND REFLECTION IN MANY WAYS.

NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH IS TEACHING OTHERS HOW TO ORGANIZE AND VALUE AN ORGANIZATION.

- DISCRIMINATION STILL EXISTS.

CERTAINLY, A LOT OF PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE.

I CERTAINLY THINK THERE'S A LOT OF PROGRESS STILL TO BE MADE.

- WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOLUTIONS, YOU NEED TO LOOK EVERYWHERE.

I HOPE I DO MY GRANDFATHER PROUD.

(MUSIC PLAYING)