Well, I could go in to some detail with you on the direct chat which I’ve never used.
But, in my case, I am, at times, a hundred miles from ANYBODY and by myself. Before going downriver my first year, some “good” natives warned me. They said “Mr. T, approximately 4 guys per year go missing on the Yukon (2,200 miles long)” Some of our bad guys run into a lower 48 type like you “on the river” and they think cash and booze and stealing your boat. And, too often, somebody dies.
So, yes, I’m very careful and your assessment is largely correct.
For the record though, the First Nation folks I have encountered saved my butt several times and I think the world of all of them as a class of people. Like all classes though, there are some bad ones and being alone on the river my Remington 870 with triple ought buck magnum loads has one round in the chamber and off safety whenever anyone approaches me on the river. Fortunately, it’s all good so far.
At night, it never gets completely dark so that helps a lot.
You mention folks missing. LOTS of people go missing all over Alaska every year. Drowning is probably the biggest, but bears and accidents too. And guys just going away so as to avoid child support. Those 16 deaths in the article probably are confirmed kills. I was on a job in Alaska and the guy mentioned bear deaths are probably much higher.
At some site a bear attacked, so the folks went to go hunt and kill it. It had the remains of two other humans in it - I’m not sure if they were able to determine who they were or not.