‘Dances With Wolves’ Actor Nathan Chasing Horse Sentenced to Life in Prison

Former actor Nathan Chasing Horse, known for his role in “Dances With Wolves,” has been sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 37 years. The sentencing, handed down by Nevada Judge Jessica Peterson on Monday, April 27, 2026, follows his conviction on 13 sexual assault charges earlier this year. Outstanding warrants remain in Canada, specifically on the Tsuut’ina Nation.

Details of the Case and Sentencing

Chasing Horse, 50, was found guilty of sexually assaulting Indigenous women and girls across multiple communities in the United States, and Canada. He leveraged his reputation as a spiritual leader and medicine man to commit these crimes. He was initially arrested in Las Vegas in 2023, leading to the issuance of nine warrants by the Tsuut’ina Nation police later that year. These warrants include four counts of sexual assault, four counts of sexual exploitation, one count of sexual interference with a person under the age of 16, and one count of removing a child under the age of 16 from Canada.

During the sentencing hearing, victim-impact statements were presented to Judge Peterson. Despite the evidence presented at trial, Chasing Horse continued to deny the charges. “There is no way to get back the youth, the childhood loss, my first time, my first kiss, the graduation I never got to have,” stated Corena Leone-LaCroix, one of the survivors, in her statement to the court. NBC News reported that Peterson noted being struck by Chasing Horse’s continued denial of the charges.

Judge Peterson stated, “You preyed on these women’s trusts and their spirituality, and you manipulated them for your own personal gratification,” before announcing the life sentence. Chasing Horse will be eligible for parole after serving 37 years.

Canadian Charges and Extradition

While Chasing Horse has been sentenced in the U.S., legal proceedings are still pending in Canada. The Alberta Crown Prosecution Service has stated that a decision regarding his extradition to face charges in the province has not yet been made. Yahoo News Canada reported that the Tsuut’ina Nation police confirmed a warrant remains outstanding.

Response from Tsuut’ina Nation

The Tsuut’ina Nation released a joint statement from Xàkíjí-tii (Head Chief), Xakujaa yina (Minor Chiefs), and Tosguna (Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service) acknowledging the pain felt by the community and commending the bravery of the survivors. The statement emphasized that the verdict represents “a significant step toward justice for the survivors and a testament to their courage.”

Key Takeaways

• Nathan Chasing Horse has been sentenced to life in prison for sexually assaulting Indigenous women and girls.
• He will be eligible for parole after 37 years.
• Outstanding warrants remain in Canada, specifically on the Tsuut’ina Nation.
• The Tsuut’ina Nation has acknowledged the pain felt by the community and commended the survivors’ courage.