The Institutionality of the Indigenous Issue in the Bribri Communities of Salitre and Cabagra, Costa Rica (1970-2000)

Abstract

The historical development of indigenous institutions in Costa Rica, during 1970-2000, tends to forget about the cultural, social, and economic interests of indigenous populations, but in response, the latter have taken it upon themselves to make it clear that the institutions are failing, to which they will proceed to delegitimize them. But there are some associations that have known how to defend their interests, above the interests of the State or people outside their ethnic group, resulting in the communities giving their acceptance and legitimacy to the institution as a local government. In this text, an approach to the legitimacy and acceptance of official entities such as the National Commission for Indigenous Affairs, and the Associations for Integral Indigenous Development within the towns of Salitre and Cabagra is made. The analysis is carried out based on various primary sources, such as national press, legal documents, and documents located in the National Directorate for Community Development, such as letters from members of community, assembly reports and complaints.