UPDATE::CAS Closes Case on Ojibwe child; "We respect Makayla's choice." | Two Row Times

I was so hoping for a different outcome, a compromise; something, but not what CAS has decided. I do understand why although I do not agree or like it. Remove the political and cultural overtones which loom large in this case, one is still left with the religious, and I do not mean indigenous spiritual beliefs. I am referring to the overt references to the brainwashing done by the church and the fact that Makayla is unable to separate the reality of her choice from the dream of her desire.
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Andrew Koster, Executive Director of the Children’s Aid Society of Brant, stated that CAS will not be investigating further, files have been closed and that without question, Makayla Sault will not be apprehended and forced back into chemotherapy.

Koster gave the news at a community meeting of approximately 40 invited officials and over 60 supporters Tuesday afternoon. “We do not have any intention of interfering with the family or apprehending Makayla or any of her other siblings. We respect Makayla’s choice. This is a unanimous decision from the Children’s Aid Society. We have no intention of taking this thing any further. We’ve looked at the information at this point that we have. We respect the wishes of the family, the wishes of Makayla and the wishes of the community. We will not be apprehending. We want to keep our word.”

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Rivers further spoke on behalf of CAS Native Services, saying the organization “acknowledges and respects [indigenous] medicine.” Rivers said that the Native Services Branch is aware that the Sault family are treating Makayla through Onongwatri:yo: and that they, as an organization “acknowledge and honour Makayla’s choice.”

Rivers, who is indigenous as well, told over 100 people gathered in New Credit today, “In our families there isn’t a hierarchy, this is contrary to a western way of thinking. This is a decision we [CAS Native Services Branch] have made as a team. We honour Makayla, the decision and the family.”

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At this point, CAS closing the file means that Makayla will not be put back in chemotherapy against her will. A legal representative addressed the crowd saying that CAS is the authority under Ontario Law to take this case forward or close it. She said that McMaster Children’s Hospital saw what they perceived as a “failure to administer medical services” to Makayla and that as a part of fiduciary responsibility to the Child and Family Services Act, they had no choice but to report the Saults to the Children’s Aid Society.

CAS Closes Case on Ojibwe child; "We respect Makayla's choice." | Two Row Times