Alaska's "Little People" Legends

Over 100 years ago, a book was published called The Golden Bough that tied together legends and beliefs across multiple peoples and times. The book kept expanding with subsequent editions until it documented similar beliefs and legends from around the world. The article "The Mysterious 'Little People' of Northwest Alaska Are Just One Example of the Supernatural in Arctic Wilderness" from Outdoor Life seems to be another example of similar beliefs. The article recounts:

One common story in Alaska communities is that of the little people. These stories are most common in western Alaska, particularly the Brooks Range, the Yukon Kuskokwim Delta, and the surrounding regions. Some believe the little people live underground; others say they live in a different dimension altogether. But all accounts, from the Arctic to Bristol Bay, say that the little people have incredible strength and often possess supernatural and shamanistic powers. While they’re not necessarily evil, they are dangerous — not something to interact with. Talking about the little people can summon them, and if summoned, they will mess with you. Stories across the North state that at one time little people lived in plain sight but became estranged after some sort of violent conflict. 

The commonality with European legends concerning the "fair folk" (fairies) is striking. (See, e.g., "The Fae Folk: Your ULTIMATE Guide to Fairies" and the Wikipedia article on "Fairy").