is using the term "chief" in xenofiction problematic?

im working on a xenofictoon story where the characters are all wolves living in the western usa. in earlier drafts i used the word chief for the leader of the wolf packs - however ive seen discussion of that term being problematic due to its connection to native american culture. the in-story packs have original worldbuilding and no (intentional) references to native culture. my question is, do i just use chief, or would it be safer to find a new term?

I would say you could use it provided there are no other parallels to indigenous culture. Although that does lead to the question of why you are attached to that specific term?

I mean, it does have some other uses, like Police Chief, but if you're concerned it'd be easy to find a synonym.

I think one question is what you are writing about, because not every culture has the same attitude to exonyms.