In the end only kindness matters...

It simply means they live an alternative lifestyle, well removed from the comforts of life, but not as extreme as the Russian village. :) In some cases, they don't have electricity but this is rare. Mainly, they are engaged in subsistence lifestyle, where they hunt animals, fish, and live entirely off the land for survival purposes. Emerald Lake is the most beautiful of all the lakes I've seen in my travels. I think there are many such natural wonders in Canada, esp. in Alberta and the Canadian Rockies. Hopefully, I'll make it there someday.