Desmond Tutu to speak at Fort McMurray oilsands conference

South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu isscheduled to appear at a conference in northern Alberta to discussaboriginal treaties and the oilsands.

The Nobel laureate, who has taken strong stands on climate changeand against projects such as the Keystone XL pipeline, is to appearwith industry and political leaders at a two-day event that beginsMay 31 in Fort McMurray.

"He has been vocal about his position on the oilsands," saidEriel Deranger, spokeswoman for the Athabasca Chipewyan FirstNation, which is co-sponsoring the conference.

"He's really brought forward the moral imperative question aboutcan we really move forward with these projects knowing what we knownow? I really hope that he can bring this moral imperative narrativeto discussions about Alberta's tar sands."

The other sponsor is Toronto law firm Olthuis Kleer Townsend, inwhich former Ontario premier and one-time federal Liberal leader BobRae is a partner. Rae is to be one of the speakers, who also includeformer Northwest Territories premier Stephen Kakfwi and formerSyncrude Canada president James Carter.

Conference to address treaty relationships

The title of the conference is As Long As the Rivers Flow: ComingBack to the Treaty Relationship In Our Time. It's intended todiscuss the need for renewal of treaty relationships in light ofextensive resource development such as the oilsands.

"We are proud to host a moral leader like Archbishop Tutu, whohas done such important work for his people in his own country,"said Athabasca Chipewyan Chief Allan Adam.

"We hope he can guide usto open a conversation with Canadians about the current state oftreaty relationships, and how we can move forward together,understanding our respective obligations."

Deranger said federal and Alberta government officials have beeninvited. She couldn't say if any will attend or speak.

Tutu, 82, has been outspoken against oilsands development. In anopinion column earlier this month in the British newspaper theGuardian, he called the Keystone XL pipeline proposal to moveoilsands bitumen from Alberta to the U.S. "appalling."

• Robert Redford helping anti-pipeline cause, says TransCanada head
• Nobel laureates ask Harper to stop oilsands
• Nobel winners urge Keystone rejection

His article speaks about a religious responsibility to fightagainst climate change.

History of speaking out against oilsands development

"It is a responsibility that begins with God commanding thefirst human inhabitants of the Garden of Eden to 'till it and keepit.' To keep it, not to abuse it, not to destroy it."

Tutu has signed a petition against the pipeline. He has calledfor boycotts of events sponsored by the fossil fuel industry, healthwarnings on oil company ads and divestment of oil industryinvestments held by universities and municipalities.

Tutu suggested the Keystone XL pipeline could increase Canada'scarbon emissions by 30 per cent.

The Anglican leader and human rights icon, who was a centralfigure in South Africa's successful fight against apartheid, is thelatest high-profile critic to visit the oilsands city.

Earlier this year, musician Neil Young played concerts in severalcities to support the Athabasca Chipewyan after he visited theregion. In 2010, Hollywood director James Cameron toured theoilsands and the community of Fort Chipewyan.