Environmental activist George Poitras is hopeful a meeting with Avatar director James Cameron will lead to a trip to Alberta's oilsands. (20th Century Fox/Associated Press)

An Alberta First Nations and environmental advocate hopes he has convinced Avatar director James Cameron to see the effects of the province's oilsands industry first-hand.

George Poitras said he had a personal meeting with Cameron in the director's hotel room in New York City on Saturday.

Both were attending the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, where a special screening of Cameron's environmental-themed blockbuster had been arranged.

Poitras said he invited the Canadian-born Cameron to visit northern Alberta and see what he calls the environmental "devastation" that the industry has caused.

Poitras said the director appeared to accept his invitation, saying he wants to learn more about the oilsands.

Cameron has said while he doesn't know much about the oilsands, he knows they're a "black eye" on Canada's image as an environmental leader.

No firm arrangements have been made for Cameron to visit the oilsands and he couldn't immediately be reached for comment.