For years, Innu Nation has argued the caribou possession charges were unconstitutional because they have an Aboriginal right to hunt and possess the animal.
When the court case was launched, Innu Nation hoped it would establish a "constitutional precedent that would enshrine their caribou hunting rights once and for all," reads a media release issued Tuesday.
But Rich said Monday's decision keeps the charges hanging over the men's heads while not giving Innu Nation an opportunity for a constitutional challenge.
"What they did, it means that we cannot have our day in the court to fight the constitutional challenges," he said.
"They're still dragging it out and won't recognize that Innu have rights to hunt. They're playing legal tricks here and I want to know why are Innu being punished for being Innu."
