Yes, Ethnic or cultural group is vastly better. Tribe refers to a
subordinated population..i.e., a tributary...who appears before a
tribunal to pay his tribute or contribution (under duress). Before
colonial subjugation peoples were termed nations, after conquest they
became "tribes" and in the modern American context, some native
Americans seek tribal status to make some advance in getting special
rights, like gambling, but as long, only as long as they accept their
own subordination. About 15-20 years ago a couple of us published a
piece in Ufahamu at UCLA/African studies on the concept tribe and why
it should be trashed. Bye, Have a great day,