In cases like F.'s, I believe the relevant phrase is "intent doesn't matter." If someone does something or says something that's identifiable to other people as biased, and does not work to understand that bias and how to avoid it in future, then they get marked down in the "Not Trying To Do It Right" column.

I have a tendency to presume the best of everyone until proven otherwise. Please notice I didn't and won't call in angry fans of color to tell you why you might not wish to endorse F.'s project. In the first place, they have other things to do and I can copy links with the best of 'em. In the second, I figured you didn't know about the layers of history F. has accumulated in this arena, and I was right.

I'm sorry a reader's offense at the use of spirit animals has made you afraid. The only defense I know of against giving offense of that sort is to do your research, write with awareness, find people from the cultural background you're writing about, engage with them honestly, and take their feedback to heart before you publish something.