Actor Nathan Chasing Horse sentenced to life in prison for sexual assault

Key Points:

• Nathan Chasing Horse, known for his role in "Dances With Wolves," was sentenced to life in prison by a Nevada judge for sexually assaulting Indigenous women and girls, following his conviction on 13 charges mostly related to sexual assault.
• Victims and their families testified about the lasting trauma and loss of faith caused by Chasing Horse, who exploited his position as a spiritual leader and Lakota medicine man to manipulate and abuse Indigenous women.
• Chasing Horse continues to deny the charges and called the verdict a "miscarriage of justice," but the judge highlighted his exploitation of victims' trust and spirituality in sentencing him, with parole eligibility after 37 years.
• Additional criminal charges against Chasing Horse are pending in Canada, including in British Columbia and Alberta, where warrants remain outstanding and prosecutors are assessing next steps after his U.S. conviction.
• The case has drawn attention to the abuse of power within Indigenous communities, with victims struggling to reconcile their faith and spirituality after being betrayed by a trusted figure involved in healing ceremonies.