cryogaijin, interesting. I've not seen that up close but I have no time in remote villages.
I'm surprised I never encountered that though, I'm constantly being asked where I'm from in Alaska. I've always felt welcomed by natives, eskimo or indian, and never felt that sort of racism.
Now anti-goosik feelings are something else altogether. (goosik=derogatory for outsider/non-native) similar to anti-haole sentiments in Hawaii.
Still, no one in AK is going to look twice at someone with a long arm in a proper carrier attached to a pack. If they get upset about that, you all probably shouldn't be in that town at all.
My recommendation- a basic 870 with a short barrell, no extra anything. Or a BLR in 30-06 or .300 Win Mag or a 7600 in 30-06. Lots of things will work, few will work as nicely and conveniently as the above. Personally I would want the shotgun for birds, hares, squirrels,porkies, dang good bear protection and the cheapest of them all.