On March 24, 2026, the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica, through Legislative File No. 25.197, declared Doña Filomena Navas Salazar—an Indigenous woman of the Bröran people born in Térraba in 1926—a “Benemérita de la Patria” (Meritorious of the Homeland).
The Bröran people are located in Térraba, a community in the canton of Buenos Aires, Puntarenas province, about 200 km southeast of San José. They are direct descendants of the Teribe or Naso people, who currently reside in Bocas del Toro, Panama. (INA,
This recognition represents an act of historical justice, highlighting Navas Salazar’s role in defending human rights, protecting Indigenous territory, and preserving ancestral knowledge.
Her daughter, Elides Rivera Navas, affirms: “This recognition not only honors her memory but also constitutes an act of historical justice for the Bröran people.”
Leadership and Defense of Territory
Filomena was a pioneering Indigenous woman in political and community participation in mid-20th century Costa Rica. Her civic engagement anticipated many legal frameworks that today protect the rights of women and Indigenous Peoples. Despite limited access to political spaces, information, and technology at the time, she managed to open doors for participation.
In 1953, Filomena became the first Indigenous woman in Térraba to exercise the right to vote, marking a milestone in the political participation of Indigenous women in Costa Rica. According to Elides, her mother’s political involvement across different spheres was not free from criticism. In order to vote, Filomena obtained her national identity card, which led some to say that “she wanted to be like a man, to make decisions and not be ruled by her husband.” With a laugh, Elides recalls her mother’s response: “With or without an ID card, I would never let myself be silenced.”
This recognition sheds light on a Costa Rica that is not solely defined by whiteness, but one built upon foundations rooted in its Indigenous peoples, including the Bröran. Today, in 2026, Doña Filomena continues to shape the history of Indigenous communities, marked by the milestone of being named Benemérita de la Patria, explains Elides.
In the 1970s, Filomena directly confronted logging companies that sought to exploit Indigenous lands.
The loggers assumed these areas were vacant territories, disregarding the fact that people—Indigenous communities who had long lived there—already inhabited them.
At that time, a logger destroyed Filomena’s crops and attempted to cut a road with heavy machinery through her farm in Veragua. She refused to abandon her home and fields, even under threats of violence. Standing hand in hand with her sons and daughters, she remained in front of the house and defended her land.
The incident was reported, but no action was taken. Elides recalls her mother’s words: “She defended the land as a fundamental right to life, insisting that it was not a commodity but sustenance and inheritance for future generations.”
This act of resistance became a powerful symbol of Indigenous struggle against territorial dispossession and environmental exploitation, inspiring new generations of community leaders.
Current Situation of Bröran Territory
According to Elides, the Bröran people continue to face exclusion and structural violence. Although land recovery processes have taken place—such as the Crun Shurín farm in 2018—and the State has purchased some properties to return to Bröran families, many of these efforts have been challenged in court.
In this context, the murders of Indigenous leaders Sergio Rojas and Yerhy Rivera in 2020 remain unresolved. Elides emphasizes: “Indigenous Peoples have been historically excluded from Costa Rica’s justice system. Violence against Indigenous leaders persists and reflects a state structure that favors non-Indigenous interests within our territories.”
Elides points out that when Indigenous territorial rights are denied, their very identity is erased.
The Council of Elders
Formalized around 2010, the Council of Elders brings together community members over 60 years old to make collective decisions. Previously, an Assembly of Adults served as the ancestral mechanism for governance.
Although initially composed only of men, women have gained equal representation. Elides highlights: “Women have achieved active participation. Thanks to the advocacy of the Mano de Tigre Organization, parity has been established within the Council of Elders.”
The Mano de Tigre Organization
Elides is part of Mano de Tigre, a women’s organization formalized in 2004 but rooted in the 1990s. It has been key in defending territory and promoting the political and economic participation of Bröran women through “words, action, and decision-making.” Its work focuses on: Defense and territorial rights; Right to education and political participation; Economic rights of the Bröran people.
Elides acknowledges her mother’s influence: “My mother’s leadership was a direct seed in the creation of Mano de Tigre. Although she passed away in 2006, she accompanied the organization’s early years, teaching us how to defend territory and women’s rights, the right not to be violated.”
Today, the organization works with five communities, providing tools for sustainable production, environmental care, and women’s empowerment. It includes girls from age 12, youth, adults, and elders, ensuring broad participation in decision-making spaces.
A Legacy of Resistance and Justice
The recognition of Filomena Navas Salazar as Benemérita de la Patria not only honors her memory but also highlights the strength and leadership of Bröran women, who continue to defend their rights, lands, and culture in the face of ongoing challenges.