The Ontario Court of Appeal on Monday struck down the "harsh" sentences of eight Native protesters who were arrested and jailed for trying to protect their aboriginal territory.

Former Ardoch Algonquin First Nation Chief Robert Lovelace and co-chief Paula Sherman were found in contempt of court for staging protests at a uranium site. They were sentenced to six months in jail ordered to pay fines of $25,000 and $15,000, respectively.

Six members of the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation were also ordered to spend six months in jail. On appeal, the court said the sentences were unjust and represented the "estrangement of aboriginal peoples from the Canadian justice system."

The court said the judge who handled the case failed to take into account the peaceful nature of the protest and the fact that all protesters were first-time offenders.

Get the Story:
Ontario Court of Appeal says jailing of 7 aboriginal protesters was too harsh (CP 7/7)
Ontario court calls native protest punishment ‘too harsh (Canwest News Service 7/7)
Ontario appeals court rules aboriginal mining protesters' sentences too severe (JURIST 7/7)

Court Decision::
Frontenac Ventures Corporation v. Ardoch Algonquin First Nation (July 7, 2008)