Sissy/Jesse is a Dakhóta girl who grows up to become an isolated novelist in her fifties living in Minnesota. As a child, she is deeply observant and sensitive, frequently hiding from her mother's volatile moods by retreating under her bed. She relies heavily on her talking doll, Ethel, for comfort and guidance. As an adult, she begins to reconnect with her cultural heritage to process her childhood experiences and find emotional balance.

Lillian is a charismatic, intelligent Dakhóta woman who advocates for Indigenous communities while battling severe emotional scars. Born with a literal hole in her heart, she teaches herself to read by age four. Her experiences at a Catholic boarding school shape her defensive, angry outlook on the world, resulting in severe mood swings that deeply affect her family.

Cora is a resilient Dakhóta woman born during a blizzard at the turn of the twentieth century. Forced to attend the Carlisle Indian Industrial School at age twelve, she learns to secretly rebel against forced assimilation to protect her cultural heritage. She relies on her deerskin doll, Winona, to help carry the memories and history of her people.

Jack is a talented Dakhóta man who suffers immense trauma at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School. He initially possesses youthful passion and a desire to restore his people's world, taking on open rebellion against the school administrators. The harsh punishments he endures eventually shatter his spirit, leading to alcoholism and erratic behavior.

Sister Frances is a cruel nun who manages the Catholic boarding school attended by Lillian and Blanche. She views the Indigenous students with contempt and uses physical and emotional punishments to demoralize them. She represents the broader societal prejudices and forced assimilation policies of her era.

Cornelius is a Lakhóta man from South Dakota who survives boarding school and the Korean War. He acts as a pacifying force in his Chicago household, attempting to avoid his wife's rages by kneeling down symbolically and remaining quiet. He imparts cultural stories and history to his daughter during quiet moments.

Blanche is a brave and rebellious Dakhóta girl attending the Catholic boarding school in Bismarck alongside her sister. She holds deep respect for her culture and openly honors figures like Sitting Bull. Her defiance in the face of forced assimilation results in severe clashes with the nuns.

Ethel is a Black Tiny Thumbelina doll requested by Sissy to better reflect her own appearance. She possesses her own consciousness and voice, providing Sissy with comfort, advice, and protection. She is deeply loyal to Sissy and observes the household dynamics closely.

Winona is an ancient deerskin doll created by a grieving mother and passed down through generations. She acts as a repository of cultural memory, having witnessed the Whitestone Hill Massacre. She speaks to Cora, offering historical warnings.

Mae is a magical Shirley Temple doll who communicates directly with Lillian. She chooses her own name and provides Lillian with a profound sense of empowerment. She intensely dislikes the abusive nuns and seeks to intervene on Lillian's behalf.

The Wounded Ancestor is a spectral figure covered in physical injuries who appears in visions. She keeps her wounds fresh to ensure her descendants do not forget the atrocities committed against their people. She serves as a harrowing but comforting link to the past.

Luther is Cornelius's charismatic brother who gained an extra energetic spark from a tornado. He attends the Bismarck boarding school alongside Lillian and Cornelius. He expresses a vibrant, temporary love for Lillian.

Known as Izzy, Dr. Parker is Jesse's best friend. She possesses her own intuitive awareness, recognizing the presence of spirits. She provides a grounding, supportive presence in adulthood.

Big Ethel is Lillian's best friend and Sissy's godmother. She attends cultural dances in Chicago with her husband. She provides a stable, loving presence, offering encouraging words about the future.

Ada is a six-year-old girl in Lillian's community dying of consumption. Lillian feels compelled to give her beloved doll to Ada to bring her comfort in her final days.

Alice is Jack's sister whose tragic death profoundly traumatizes him. Jack feels a psychic connection to her suffering and firmly believes she was harmed, fundamentally breaking his spirit.

Susanna is the daughter of a Quaker family who takes Cora in during the summer Outing Program. She quickly becomes Cora's best friend, providing a positive experience of white society.

Alvina is one of Lillian's older sisters, growing up in their North Dakota home. During one of her father's dangerous drunken delusions, she bravely runs to fetch help to defuse the situation.

Oscar is a younger brother of Lillian and Blanche. He grows up on the reservation in North Dakota under the looming threat of his father's alcoholism.

Teddy is one of Lillian's younger brothers. He is part of a household defined by his mother's steady love and his father's erratic behavior.

Prince is Jesse's pet cockatoo who lives with her in St. Paul. He plays an active role in bringing the dolls to Jesse's attention by carrying them to her bed.

Grandpa Little Soldier is a loyalist to Sitting Bull and a close friend to Cora's family. He acts as a steady, reliable figure, delivering food and intervening during domestic crises.

Shirley is a doll purchased by Big Ethel to replace Mae. Though Lillian rejected her, Shirley possesses a shared consciousness with the original Mae and later recounts her history.