Thirteen Ecuadorian indigenous nationalities follow the Intercultural Bilingual Education Model in Ecuador (MOSEIB). This paper analyses the present situation of MOSEIB, the challenges to it and future prospects. First, in order to understand how MOSEIB today has relieved the intercultural tensions of the past it is necessary to look at the history of Ecuadorian education. Second, in order to explore the particular characteristics of the MOSEIB model and the challenges of implementing intercultural education in non-intercultural societies we ask how and to what extent the intercultural education policies and practices in Ecuador differ from those developed in other Latin-American countries. Third, we consider curricular diversity, seeking to clarify how the MOSEIB curricula relate to the reality of the "Kichwa" indigenous nationality and its communal environment, rituals and agricultural schedules. We conclude with comments on future prospects and remaining challenges to the establishment of a truly intercultural society inside a multicultural country. (Contains 20 notes.)