I understand that - though I don't think that post really got that point across as well as you are! But in that case, if you have (as I have) a character who is Native American, is a shaman who lives on a reserve, is a key element of the heroes' story and interacts with the other characters doing Native American things - like helping a character get their head straight after a traumatic experience - should I not be writing those things, those actions, or defining my character as a native american? His world intersects with the world of my lead characters, and I want him to be central to their story - and it's important to the story (at the moment) that this native american element is there.

I've seen comments on blogs what would tell me I don't have any right to write this character. I see what you're saying - but how far does one go before one hits this wall that says stick to white mainstream characters because you are one?