tabindex tecnique for html5

Re the proposed technique for html5 tabindex:
http://www.w3.org/WAI/GL/wiki/Creating_Logical_Tab_Order_with_the_Tabindex_Attribute
I think using a tabs control was suggested as an example for this technique.
I am wary of using such an example for the following reason: in a normal
tabs control, the tabs headers should be sending focus to the appropriate
tab content region, which means that the headers should have an interactive
element in them, such as a button or a link, which would then allow them to
gain focus without the use of the tabindex attribute. The example Jon gave
me (though I can't find the link) is basically a tabs-like control -
something like http://oaa-accessibility.org/example/34/
This uses ARIA and I think we are trying to stay away from ARIA in the html5
techs and remain with native code whenever possible. So if anyone has a
different example let me know.