"Dark Winds" features Manuelito, a gay Navajo police officer, as a complex and integral character. His sexuality is depicted with dignity and agency, including a respectful portrayal of his romantic relationships. While acknowledging period-specific challenges, the series maintains an empathetic stance, resulting in a net affirming portrayal of an LGBTQ+ character.

Dark Winds features Sally Growing Thunder, a Two-Spirit character, whose identity is portrayed with cultural respect and dignity. The show affirms her place within the Navajo community, framing her identity as a respected aspect of her heritage. Obstacles she encounters are external to her identity, contributing to a net positive and affirming portrayal.

The series portrays Christianity primarily through the lens of its historical impact on the Navajo Nation, particularly the trauma inflicted by Christian-run boarding schools that sought to eradicate indigenous culture and language. The narrative highlights the lasting negative consequences of these assimilation efforts.