durhamregion.com reports that a judge considering the case of a First Nation mother seeking alternative treatment of their child’s cancer

The online news source durhamregion.com reports that a judge considering the case of a First Nation mother seeking alternative treatment of their child’s cancer questioned whether forcing chemotherapy would be “imposing our world view on First Nations.” The mother of the girl wants to take her daughter to the U.S. for treatment that involves herbal medicines and a changed diet. “Who am I to say that is not appropriate?” the judge asked. McMaster Children’s Hospital has taken Brant Family and Children’s Services to court. The agency chose not to intervene when the girl stopped chemotherapy. The hospital says there is up to a 95 per cent chance of curing her acute lymphoblastic leukemia with the western medicine. The hospital’s lawyer said the girl will die without it. The judge however wondered if society can respect First Nations while rejecting traditional cultural healing practices. “Yes, we accept your culture, but when it gets serious, not so much,” he said. The lawyer said the court has heard no evidence of any child with leukemia saved by traditional medicine. “Are we supposed to wait and see what happens with these children?” she asked. “The need for treatment is now.”