Bonnie here:

   You can see the Russian influence in the south/central part Alaska. The church served as the first school on the Kenai Peninsula. Before the children had formal schooling, they learned Native traditional skills and about nature, hunting, fishing and life from their parents and grandparents. We read an account from one of the elders who sadly remembered that the church and schools took their children from them. I am sure that most priests and teachers were well meaning, but it makes me sad to read about children being separated from their parents and family. (On a positive note, aren't the onion-topped buildings pretty?)