Nathan Lee Chasing His Horse

Nathan Lee Chasing His Horse
Chasing Horse in 2007
Born (1976-04-28) April 28, 1976 (age 48)
Rosebud Lakota Sioux Reservation, South Dakota, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1990–2023
ChildrenQuannah Chasinghorse

Nathan Lee Chasing His Horse (born April 28, 1976), also known as Nathan Chasing Horse and Nathan Chases His Horse, is Sicangu Lakota, a Native American actor. Born on the Rosebud Indian Reservation and enrolled in the tribe,[citation needed] he has spent most of his adult life in California. As of 2023, he had resided for 10 years in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In January 2023, Chasing Horse was arrested on charges relating to multiple sexual offenses against young Indigenous girls. He appeared to be leading a cult that hid under a claim of traditional medicine.[1] A months-long investigation documented cases in at least three states dating to the early 2000s.

Life and career

Chasing Horse portrayed the young Lakota character Smiles a Lot in Kevin Costner's 1990 film Dances with Wolves.[2] He has appeared in three TNT telefilms with First Nations actor Eric Schweig: The Broken Chain, Into the West, and Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. He has given speaking engagements and workshops on spirituality and developed a following in a variety of locations.[2]

He is the father of model Quannah Chasinghorse. She was raised by her single mother.[3]

Chasing Horse gained a reputation as an erstwhile medicine man among tribes across the United States and in Canada. He claimed to perform healing ceremonies. Police allege that he used his position to abuse young Native American girls; he was charged in 2023 with sexual assault by the North Las Vegas Police Department and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.[4][5]

On July 6, 2015, after attempting to hold a Sun Dance ceremony in the area, Chasing Horse was banned by officials from the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in Montana as a "safety threat" because of charges of "human trafficking, sexual abuse, drug dealing, and intimidation of tribal members".[1][2]

Chasing Horse was arrested on January 31, 2023 by officers of the North Las Vegas Police Department and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Officers conducted a SWAT team raid on the house that he shared with his five wives, located in North Las Vegas.[4] His arrest was the culmination of a months-long investigation that began after police received a tip in October 2022.

According to a 50-page search warrant obtained by Associated Press (AP), Chasing Horse is believed to be the leader of a cult known as The Circle.[6] Police report that they seized firearms, and that Chasing Horse was instructing his followers to “shoot it out” with law enforcement. He told them that if they failed, they should take “suicide pills".[7]

The Las Vegas police, as stated in the search warrant, have found evidence of at least six claims of sexual abuse, with one victim reporting being assaulted at the age of 13.[8] The allegations against Chasing Horse span multiple states, including Montana, South Dakota, and Nevada where he has lived for the past 10 years, and date to the early 2000s.[6]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1990 Dances with Wolves Smiles a Lot
1993 The Broken Chain Young Joseph Brant TV movie
2003 Dreamkeeper Verdel TV movie
2005 Into the West Sleeping Bear TV movie
2007 Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee One Bull TV movie

References

  1. ^ a b "Dances with Wolves actor and alleged cult leader arrested on sex abuse claims". The Guardian. Associated Press. February 1, 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Montclair, Louis (July 17, 2015). "Actor, 'Medicine Man' Chasing Horse Banished From Fort Peck". Indian Country Today Media Network. Archived from the original on July 19, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  3. ^ Hurley, Bevan (February 2, 2023). "Nathan Chasing Horse lured young girls into a sex cult, authorities say". The Independent. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Yamat, Rio (February 2, 2023). "Records: 'Dances with Wolves' actor armed cult against cops". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Associated Press. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  5. ^ "Las Vegas police: 'Dances With Wolves' actor to be charged with sex assault". Fox 5 Vegas. Associated Press.
  6. ^ a b Yamat, Rio (January 31, 2023). "'Dances with Wolves' actor arrested in Nevada sex abuse case". AP News.
  7. ^ "Records: 'Dances with Wolves' actor armed cult against cops". Fox 5 Vegas. Associated Press.
  8. ^ "Dances with Wolves actor to face judge over alleged sexual abuse". The Guardian. Associated Press. February 2, 2023. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved February 6, 2023.