The ‘As Long As The Rivers Flow’ conference in Fort McMurray got a lot of attention, thanks in part to remarks from the Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

But while headlines focused on the criticisms Tutu leveled at the oil industry in northern Alberta, there was plenty more to talk about in Fort McMurray May 31 - June 1.

Nearly 30 ACFN and other members of Fort Chipewyan made the trip south to Fort McMurray to take in the conference, and we caught up with a few of them to gather their insights and highlights.

“Desmond Tutu, he was good,” said Albert Voyageur of the Nobel Peace Prize winning speaker. “He didn’t act like an 82 year old! He was lively and really talked nice. He got people’s attention. The oil companies didn’t like take too kindly to that.”

“The world knows Desmond Tutu, and to have him speak is a powerful message of support, it gives me courage to go on. When we have people like him supporting us, it becomes not just about us, its about the world,” said Alice Rigney from the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation.

“It was one of my first conferences ever,” said Jocelyn Martyn. “So everything was interesting to me. I asked some questions.”

“It’s obvious that our battle is all about water. What we want is clean water just like anyone else on this earth. And I support the ACFN to go ahead and work on our behalf to make sure that we have clean water. The conference was all about unity; we have a lot of issues, and questions to be addressed. We want an independent study. It is is through conferences like this that our message gets out.” said Alice Rigney.

There was some indication that more community voices could be highlighted in future conferences, but that overall the experience was a positive one.

“We went over there to get things straightened out,” explained Albert Voyageur, regarding the importance of the conference, and others like it taking place in Fort Smith and Cold Lake around water issues. “Down there, all the trees are gone. All the animals are going further and further away. Trappers have a tough time, they can’t trap. It’s a tough time for everyone.”

In the end, the members we spoke to in attendance seemed to feel that the conference, and the issues it raised, were a global issue. There was some indication that more community voices could be highlighted in future conferences, but that overall the experience was a positive one. And one that will hopefully propel the discussion around resource development in the north towards a more community minded approach to the issue.

Did you attend the As Long As The Rivers Flow conference in Fort McMurray? If so, let us know what you thought about the event in the comments below, or on Facebook.

John Olthuis from A-Squared Communications on Vimeo.