Nathan Chasing Horse, known for his role in “Dances With Wolves,” was sentenced after being convicted on 13 of 21 sexual assault charges involving Indigenous women and girls, including a victim who was 14 when the abuse began. Prosecutors described how Chasing Horse exploited his reputation as a Lakota medicine man to manipulate and assault multiple victims over nearly two decades, using spiritual coercion to silence them. Despite his denial and a failed motion for a new trial, he faces a minimum of 25 years in prison.

The case has had broader implications across Indigenous communities, with additional charges pending in Canada and an outstanding warrant in Alberta. The prosecution highlighted a “web of abuse” that spanned Indian Country, as Chasing Horse traveled to perform ceremonies and offer healing, which he used as a cover for his crimes. The sentencing marks the culmination of a lengthy legal battle following his 2023 arrest and conviction.