An annual aboriginal protest that led to blockades on the CN Rail line and the closure of Highway 401 near Belleville, Ont., last year is expected to be quieter this year, as many Mohawk activists in the region are either in jail or barred from participating in protests.

The National Day of Action this Thursday aims to raise awareness about aboriginal issues such as land claims and the high rate of poverty among First Nations peoples.

But many who would otherwise take part can't participate this year, said Dan Doreen, an activist from the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.

"They've got our people incarcerated, they got us on conditions," he said.

Doreen, 34, is one of 16 people from the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory charged with offences such as mischief in connection with a blockade in April near Deseronto, Ont., about 26 kilometres east of Belleville.

The Mohawks have mounted repeated protests over the past year-and-a-half regarding the Culbertson Tract, about 400 hectares of land on Lake Ontario's Bay of Quinte, near Deseronto, that the Mohawks say they never properly surrendered.

Following Doreen's arrest, a judge imposed conditions that would land him in jail if he participates in a protest.

"You know that's putting my family on the line," he said. "I have four kids at home, I run a business here on Tyendinaga Territory…. And, I guess OPP realize that and that's why I'm on these conditions."

Mayor hopes for the best

Meanwhile, Deseronto Mayor Norm Clarke hopes his town won't be targeted in any protests Thursday.

"There may be people giving out pamphlets. That's fine with us. Everybody has a right to protest," he said, adding that such events become a concern when they shut down roads and affect commuters.

Ontario Provincial Police said they haven't heard of any major disturbances planned for Thursday, but won't know for sure until that day.

During last year's day of action, demonstrators erected barricades on the CN Rail line 20 kilometres east of Belleville and on Highway 2 near Deseronto, about 50 kilometres west of Kingston.

Although the protests were largely peaceful, CN Rail suspended rail service heading from Toronto to Montreal and Ottawa.

In addition, police shut down a 29-kilometre stretch of Highway 401 between Napanee and Belleville for 11 hours in response to the threat of a blockade.