ABSTRACT

The exploitation and destruction of indigenous peoples – relatively small in number and historically powerless – have been increasingly regarded as historical marks of the arrogance of large and not exclusively western civilisations (UN 2002o, 2002p, 2002t). With a greater voice at the UN today, indigenous peoples have suffered what today we would call genocide and ethnic cleansing, as well as decimation of their languages, cultures and even habitat. Yet many such groups, including ancient tribal peoples, remain under threat today for their identity and even their very existence (Thornbury 2002). Although religious education cannot cover all traditions, and the focus on six principal religions is a matter of expediency, the rights of tribal and indigenous peoples raise important issues about the nature and extent of what it means to be a citizen in the world today.