It's not "elitist" to ask people outside of native cultures to be respectful about aspects of said culture. Fucking obviously it's a good thing to share and educate those unaware but it's also even better to be educated about certain parts that aren't okay to interpret in media, as requested by many people who are deeply affected by it. It really isn't hard to just make up a creature that's similar without using something that already exists despite being asked not to just because you think its scary looking. I don't see why you feel so inclined to offend people over something so easily avoided.
Viewing post in The Lancaster Leak - O'Brien State Park comments
Treating a terror of folklore as a horrifying creature should be considered a respectful interpretation. I would also like to ask how one could be seriously and deeply affected by this interpretation of the wendigo. Often times making a creature up instead of using one already known gives it less gravity, especially in a short game with not much room or budget for a triple A horror monster set up with hours of in game lore. Even supposing that it WAS wrong the concept of the wendigo has already become a worldwide cultural mainstay. There is no way to purge it from media exactly how genies not going anywhere. Why not take the opportunity to enlighten others about the concept when it comes up and congratulate respectfully made and creative pieces? No one will get through to people by being upset/upset for other people and shaming them. It is just not an effective policy.