Nomi is a 16-year-old girl living in the conservative Mennonite town of East Village, Manitoba. She drifts through her final days of high school anticipating a bleak future at the local chicken processing plant, though she secretly dreams of moving to New York City to hang out with Lou Reed. Following the fracturing of her family, she copes by wandering the town, skipping school, and adopting a wry, sarcastic attitude toward the religious community around her.

Ray is Nomi's devout, quiet father who works as a school teacher. Following the departure of his wife and eldest daughter, he retreats further into the Mennonite faith. He processes his grief in unusual ways, such as driving aimlessly at night, selling off the family's furniture piece by piece, and carefully organizing trash at the local dump.

Trudie is Nomi's vivacious mother who disappeared suddenly when Nomi was 13, leaving her passport behind. She actively participated in the Mennonite faith but possessed a fierce, rebellious streak that caused friction with her brother, the church leader. She struggled to balance her love for her husband with the strict constraints placed upon women in East Village.

Tash is Nomi's older sister who openly questioned the Mennonite religion during her teenage years. Rejecting the strict rules of East Village, she embraced atheism and refused to conform to the expectations of the church. She eventually left town with her boyfriend, setting a precedent that deeply affects Nomi's own coming of age.

Hans is the pastor of the East Village Mennonite church and Trudie's brother. He acts as a rigid, imposing figure who demands absolute obedience from his congregation, especially the women. Despite his stern exterior, he harbors deep personal sadness and uses his authority to punish those who challenge him.

Travis is Nomi's boyfriend of five months who works for his father and occasionally at the historic tourist village. He presents himself as a rebellious teenager by smoking marijuana and listening to rock music. Despite his modern posturing, he maintains highly traditional expectations regarding gender roles and dismisses Nomi's emotional needs.

Mr. Quiring is Nomi's high school English teacher. He heavily criticizes Nomi's writing assignments and frequently penalizes her for her lack of conformity. He holds a significant grudge against the Nickel family and monitors them closely on behalf of the community.

Often called Lids, Lydia is Nomi's longtime friend who suffers from a mysterious physical illness that her nurses frequently doubt. She remains a devout Mennonite but relies on Nomi to bring her stories from the outside world.

The Golden Comb is a local marijuana dealer who operates out of a trailer near East Village. He lives independently of the strict Mennonite rules, providing a space where the town's teenagers escape their religious obligations.

Ian is a local boy who rejected the Mennonite church's teachings. He dated Tash Nickel and supported her rebellious actions, eventually leaving town with her to escape the community's judgment.

Adeline is a local teenager who works at the recreated historical village. She plays the role of a traditional Mennonite wife alongside Travis during their shifts, adhering closely to the expected behaviors of the town.

Sheridan is Nomi's former neighbor. He experienced severe family trauma after his father was excommunicated and left town, followed by his mother taking her own life.

Sheridan's grandmother, who lives on a property next to a small shack where her excommunicated husband resides. She represents the ongoing domestic suffering caused by the church's harsh penalties.

An older woman in East Village who treats Nomi with special kindness. She lost her four-year-old son, Clayton, to drowning and projects her maternal feelings onto Nomi, who is exactly the age Clayton would have been.

Mrs. Peters' son who drowned at four years old. His memory causes his mother to maintain a lingering attachment to Nomi, viewing her as a reflection of who he could have become.

A local drug dealer who operates alongside The Golden Comb, supplying marijuana to the teenagers of East Village and participating in the local illicit economy.

An acquaintance of Nomi's who was raised by his grandmother after his parents were excommunicated for alcoholism. He relies heavily on smoking and drinking to cope with his isolation.

A French girl dating Bert. Nomi views their relationship with dark romanticism, believing rumors that the two share a suicide pact to escape their difficult lives.

Nomi's cousin, who has a mild mental disability. Nomi treats him with kindness and shares cigarettes with him to offer him a moment of normalcy.

A returned missionary from Paraguay who lives in East Village. Nomi comforts him after he is struck during a local dispute over the construction of an abattoir.

A friend of Nomi's from school. She points out a humorous photograph of Nomi on display at the local museum village, highlighting Nomi's awkwardness in traditional settings.

One of Nomi's friends. She invites Nomi over for Bundt cake and vodka while babysitting, only to abruptly dismiss her when the homeowners are expected back.

A friend of Nomi's who participates in drinking vodka while babysitting. She silently returns to the house after Nomi is asked to leave, demonstrating the fickle nature of teenage friendships.

An adjudicator from the city who visits East Village to judge a choral performance. She previously worked as an actress and singer at a local playhouse where she knew Trudie.

A local acquaintance of Nomi's who expresses clear confusion when Nomi is still wandering around town despite her dramatic farewells earlier in the week.