ABSTRACT
The concept of territory encompasses a broad range of connotations, which contain serious implications for the rights of indigenous peoples. The vagueness and breadth of a term such as territory provide ample scope for heated discussion when indigenous rights are under review. During the revision of ILO Convention 107 in Geneva between 1986and 1989, for example, the indigenous representatives present were adamant about the importance of recognising their rights to territories. However there was vocal opposition on the part of some governments to any acknowledgement that indigenous peoples have territories (Gray 1990: 184-186).
