The sentencing hearing for a Cree medicine man convicted of sexually assaulting 12 women over nine years has shown the damage he inflicted on his victims and their communities.
Crown prosecutor Lana Morelli told the Court of King’s Bench on Tuesday that Cecil Wolfe, 63, “breached a significant position of trust,” adding that the impact of his crimes was “breathtaking.”
Many of the victims, who had sought Wolfe’s help for health issues ranging from depression to cancer, felt their personal trauma get worse when the person they trusted betrayed them.
"The victims own trauma was compounded by the sexual assaults by a trusted healer,” said Morelli.
Wolfe pleaded guilty in February to a dozen counts of sexual assault connected to incidents in Saskatoon, Muskeg Lake, and Onion Lake.
Morelli argued that sentencing Wolfe presents unique challenges, since most medical cases lack a “spiritual element” and religious abuses typically “omit a clinical aspect.”
“A medicine man is a symbol of culture, tradition, spirituality, and the healing as a doctor,” said Morelli, emphasizing how Wolfe’s position as a medicine man magnified the harm to the victims.
The Crown is asking for a prison sentence of ten years and nine months, while defence lawyer Harvey Neufeld is seeking four to five years.
Wolfe returned to court this week to hear victim impact statements and legal submissions.
Morelli acknowledged Gladue factors, which consider the role of colonialism in shaping an indigenous offender’s life.
However, she pointed out that Wolfe’s cultural practices were not stripped away, and his age and life experience should have given him the moral awareness that his actions were wrong.
One letter of support filed by the defence revealed that Wolfe allegedly continued treating at least one woman after being charged, raising concerns about his violation of release conditions.
Justice John Morrall reserved his decision and will sentence Wolfe at a later date.