Hey Adam -- just responding to this to dialogue [not in an argumentative way]. Hope you take it in the spirit intended -- just a friendly discussion, since things have been slow in this thread lately.
I'm not connecting with what you mean about her not representing Native Americans. In what way? Because as you point out in your other post, there's a fine line not just in comics, but in all fiction, between characterization and stereotyping. Characters like Red Wolf, Shaman, Black Crow, etc. are all kind of stereotypes of the way that Native Americans are generally depicted in comics. Their powers are tied to their connection to nature, they are mystical, and they are pretty one dimensional [and this is coming from someone who likes Red Wolf, and used to read Alpha Flight with Shaman].
Somewhat unintentionally, IMO, Claremont avoided making Dani a stereotype of Native Americans. Her powers were abstract, and semi-unique. Sure, he toed the line in some ways with her being able to empathically communicate with animals, and with some things about her look [i.e., braids, leather clothes, her use of a bow, etc.] -- but by the end of the graphic novel, Dani "took back" those things by making the unauthorized changes to her uniform, by defiantly donning the turquoise belt, the fringed boots, etc. rather than conform to the rules imposed by Professor X. She did that because despite being out of her element, she was asserting that her culture was important, and that she wouldn't abandon her heritage.
c34cc4959760a961e8528d935651836c.jpg
Later on, her Native American fashion became even more prominently pronounced -- wearing feathers woven into her hair, later on constantly wearing the Apache-style headband -- but those weren't things that seemed to be used to make her SEEM more Native American, it was more like Dani asserting her unique style, representing her culture, and NOT abandoning her look by being "white washed."
a22.jpg
Duly noted -- again, this is just a friendly debate. As a devout Dani fan, I think Marvel did her a disservice by depowering her during the Decimation. Because that made her Valkyrie abilities the only "powers" she had. And for awhile [many years of real time, in fact] that's all she was. But thankfully that's been remediated, and now her powers are back to normal, despite her still being a Valkyrie.
I think some of the art [there's a cover where she doesn't look Native American at all] could be accused of "white washing," but by and large they get her look right.
a9eef9b33f28acea578fdb991ba28449.jpg
Darcie Little Badger, who is a Lipan Apache writer who authored her "Indigenous Voices" story, described that Dani's Valkyrie costumes are way better than her other costumes [in her opinion]. She also goes on to say that being a Valkyrie doesn't detract from Dani's indigenous-osity at all, because like all Native Americans, she can be many things in one [a mutant, a hero, a woman, a Valkyrie, AND a Native American] without any of those facets detracting from or diminishing the others:
Who is Dani Moonstar? Well, she’s a Cheyenne woman. A mutant hero. A vehemently loyal friend, an independent thinker, a successful teacher, an effective leader, and—as mentioned previously—an on-again, off-again Valkyrie. Like all Native folks, she’s many things simultaneously. Dani’s character is not made to minimize or compromise her indigeneity in pursuit of individuality or complexity.
Here's the article, just for reference:
https://www.marvel.com/articles/comi...simultaneously
I guess as a fan of the character, I believe that she's a great representation of Native American cultures not because she fits a stereotype, but because she's different, diverse, and weaves her Native American culture into every aspect of her look / character. And has for nearly 40 years -- from her first appearance in Marvel Graphic Novel #4, to the present day. I can't rightly say whether Claremont intended her to break the mold with respect to Indigenous stereotypes, but whether by design or by accident, that's what Dani's accomplished IMO.