What is the main conflict in Dogsong by Gary Paulsen?

Russel's father, once a heavy drinker, found religion some years ago after Russel's mother abandoned them and ran off with a white man. Russel does not understand his father's enthusiasm for Jesus, but the boy knows that Jesus helped his father stop drinking and so he accepts it for what it is. Russel's father loves him but he cannot answer Russel's questions about life and living. Nor can Russel's father fully comprehend the boy's restlessness and dissatisfaction.