This representation becomes problematic because assumes that Indigenous people do not harm animals, when in reality, they do. As a result, Indigenous people are criticized when they kill animals because they are seen as "inauthentic natives" who are losing their culture and respect for the environment. They even get death threats, implying that their lives are valued less than the lives of the animals they are expected to protect.

I have to admit, when I learned about the myth of the "ecologically noble savage," I was intrigued because I had often thought of Indigenous Peoples as being "one with nature" and as caring beings because of their respect for the world. However, I didn't see the complexity of their cultural practices and viewed them merely as a positive contrast to the destructive lifestyle of modern civilization. I thought about why I had these misconceptions and realized that very little media reflects the complexity of the lived experience of Indigenous individuals. Most of the Indigenous representation I had seen previously was in the context of being juxtaposed with modern civilization in a way that perpetuated the stereotypes of the "ecologically noble savage." This misrepresents Indigenous people in a one-dimensional way, emphasizing either their "savage" and "primitive" nature or their role as "protectors of nature."

Since the film was primarily created with a white audience in mind, it represents Indigenous people in a way that helps speak to white audiences rather than illustrating the complexity of Native American culture. It simultaneously criticizes and glorifies white civilization with Pocahontas reprimanding negative aspects of colonization yet still being drawn to white culture. The film perpetuates the myth of Indigenous as "protectors of nature" through its criticism of the destruction of white civilization. For instance, the song "Colors of the Wind" depicts Indigenous as being one with nature to denounce the harmful aspects of white colonization. By using Indigenous culture to send a message to mainstream culture, the movie focuses on a one-sided representation of Indigenous Peoples as "protectors of nature" rather than representing the complexity of their cultural practices.

For example, Marcy Norton conveys that Indigenous practices encompass more than protecting nature through her explanation of Amerindian practices that link adoption and consumption. Amerindians (Indigenous Peoples of the Americas) form close kinships with animals but they also practice consumption of enemies and have rituals that adopt subjects who are to be killed. The concept of iegue, animals who are kin and not food, does not mean that Amerindians do not harm other animals. Therefore, deeming Indigenous Peoples merely as "protectors of nature" undermines the richness of their spiritual practices.

As seen from these examples, Indigenous people have constantly been misrepresented through reductive portrayals. Due to these misrepresentations, we can see the importance of diverse and accurate representations to foster better understanding and respect for the unique complexity of individuals and their culture, spirituality, and traditions.