www.bethelak.com

For dry powder snow a traditional pair of mucluks are superb. Stegners in Minnesota make outstanding ones.You can roll them up, they have no left or right and are supremely comfortable. buy them a few sizes to big and fill with a felt liner and quality wool socks and liners.

For Cultural survival, be aware that Alaska, though not unique, sees alcoholism as it's #1 social malady.Some of those outlying villages may be very traditional with no alchohol rules and others a page out of the gold rush.
Russian orthodoxy is the mother church of Alaska. if, in the course of treatment you need to remove a cross; ASK the patient to do it, and if unconscious keep it nearby.If there is a local church say hello to the archimandrite (head priest) and attend a service if possible. It will be, by ROA rules in the local language. In Alaska this can be english, russian or native alaskan. A well worth cultural experience and it opens lots of doors.