In a landmark case that has shaken Indigenous communities across North America, Nathan Chasing Horse, known for his role in the Oscar-winning film Dances with Wolves, was sentenced to life in prison on Monday for a series of sex offenses.
The 49-year-old actor, who portrayed the young Lakota character Smiles a Lot in the 1990 Kevin Costner epic, received a sentence of life with the possibility of parole after 37 years.
Chasing Horse was convicted on 13 counts, including multiple charges of sexual assault on Indigenous women and girls, following an 11-day trial in Las Vegas.
Prosecutors said the former actor used his fame from the movie and his position as a spiritual leader and medicine man to gain the trust of victims during powwows and healing ceremonies.
The assaults occurred over nearly two decades, with victims testifying that Chasing Horse exploited their spirituality and cultural traditions to perpetrate the crimes.
A jury in Clark County found him guilty of the majority of the 21 charges he faced, which also included allegations of child sexual abuse material possession.
During the sentencing hearing, victims and their families shared heart-wrenching impact statements, describing the lasting trauma and loss of faith in traditional healers.
Judge Jessica Peterson presided over the case, imposing the maximum sentence requested by prosecutors to reflect the severity of the offenses against vulnerable members of the community.
Chasing Horse, dressed in a detention center uniform, maintained his innocence, stating that the conviction represented a “miscarriage of justice.”
The case has sparked discussions about accountability within Indigenous spiritual practices and the protection of women and children in Native communities.
Chasing Horse still faces additional charges in other jurisdictions, including possibly Canada, as authorities continue to investigate his activities.
This sentencing brings a measure of justice for the victims but highlights ongoing challenges in addressing such abuses.