SLEEPY EYE - Colleen Hauser wants people to know her rural Sleepy Eye family is simple and honest, and not intent on hurting anyone.
That simplicity includes the contents of her cupboards and refrigerator and extends to the philosophy of treating illness with alternative, natural methods.
In her cupboards is a lazy susan filled with the different nutritional supplements that she gives her family.
Her refrigerator contains organic food and bottles of ionized water.
Statues of Mary, Joseph and Jesus, crucifixes, crosses are displayed in the home. The family's certificates from the Nemenhah hang on the kitchen wall.
In the living room, on top of a chest, two figurines of a Native American man and woman in traditional dress sit next to a small Native American medicine wheel, a symbol made up of a circle of stones that represents the Four Directions.
The Hausers are Catholics and also members of the Nemenhah band that recommends alternative methods to cure illnesses.
Colleen Hauser's 13-year-old son Daniel is the center of a Brown County court case about whether he should be forced to take chemotherapy treatment for cancer. Daniel had one treatment in February; five more are recommended for his survival.
Colleen and her husband Anthony prefer that Daniel be treated with alternative methods, such as a special diet recommended by the Nemenhah.
The Hausers do not see any conflict with Catholicism and Nemenhah.
The family prays the rosary every evening. They always pray for help, Colleen said.
Judge John Rodenberg is expected to rule Friday on Daniel's case. The case pits parents' rights and religious beliefs versus the state's right to protect children.
Daniel has seven siblings.
Colleen gave birth to five of the Hauser children at home with the help of a midwife.
"We're just a simple, honest family. We're not out to harm anyone," Colleen said.
Critics have charged that Nemenhah is fraudulent. Much of the criticism of has come from other Native American organizations.
Most of the supplements in the Hausers' kitchen come from the House of Nutrition or from Cash Wise Foods in New Ulm, Colleen said.
Colleen said she and her family do not mean any disrespect towards the medical doctors who want her to put Daniel through chemotherapy.
"...But back off. Respect our beliefs," she said.
Colleen said she has used natural remedies for things like sore throats or headaches since she was a child.
"I want to wait," she said about the court's decision. "I am hoping he rules in our favor. The judge knows how I feel."
Colleen said she doesn't know what she will do if the court rules Daniel must undergo chemotherapy. A family meeting will likely take place if that happens, Colleen said.
Susan Daya Hamwi, a California attorney, Nemenhah band member and family spokesperson, said further appeals have been considered but that no decision has been made.
Colleen Hauser said she isn't worried about the recent news story that said Nemenhah Chief Philip "Cloudpiler" Landis was convicted of fraud in two states. She referred any questions about him to Landis himself.
Landis could not be reached for comment Wednesday evening.
Colleen said she did not know about Landis' background before she joined the band and isn't concerned about it.
"I'm not a doctor. This is just good stuff," Colleen said, taking a couple of containers and a bottle out of the refrigerator and placing them on the table.
Hauser harbors no doubts in what Nemenhah teaches even though representatives of other Native American groups say it isn't authentic to their practices.
She also is not bothered by the critics who have spoken out against the Hausers' efforts to stop the chemotherapy treatments, deemed necessary by medical professional for Daniel's survival.
The Hauser answering machine is full of message from people calling to support the family, Many of the callers are cancer survivors, according to Colleen Hauser.
Colleen Hauser's hopes are high that Rodenberg will rule in Daniel's favor.
On Friday, the family will know if its optimism prevails.
