Fleur is a beautiful, physically powerful, and deeply mysterious Chippewa woman who takes a job at Kozka's Meats. Rumored to possess magical abilities, four toes on each foot, and an uncanny connection to nature, she subverts the expectations of the men around her. She effortlessly lifts heavy meat and joins the men's nightly card games, playing with a quiet, cautious strategy that frustrates her coworkers.

Pauline is the highly observant, plain-looking narrator of the story. Pulled out of school by her stepfather after her mother's death, she is forced to do housework and blend into the background at Kozka's Meats. Her perceived invisibility allows her to watch the hidden dynamics of the butcher shop from small crevices, and she becomes fascinated by Fleur, the only person who treats her with kindness.

Lily is a bachelor working at Kozka's Meats, notable for his smooth, lily-white skin and cold, snakelike eyes. Arrogant and easily frustrated, he spends his time drinking, reading circulars, and playing cards. He becomes increasingly obsessed with defeating Fleur in their nightly poker games, unable to handle a Native woman challenging his sense of superiority and control.

Pete is the owner of Kozka's Meats. He is practical and quickly impressed by Fleur's ability to effortlessly lift heavy pieces of meat. He generally stays out of the men's rowdy card games and maintains a relatively peaceful environment in the shop until he and his wife leave town for an August vacation.

Fritzie is Pete's wife and holds significant authority within the butcher shop. A strong-willed white woman, she easily commands the respect of her husband and the other men, refusing to tolerate backtalk or gossip. She takes an interest in Fleur and teaches her the trade of butchering meat.

Dutch is Pauline's stepfather and one of the bachelors working at Kozka's Meats. After the death of Pauline's mother, he forces Pauline to abandon her education to perform domestic work and keep house for him. He spends his evenings playing cards and drinking with his coworkers.

Tor is one of the bachelor workers at Kozka's Meats. Like Dutch and Lily, he is captivated by Fleur's arrival and participates in the nightly payday card games that eventually become a source of escalating tension and resentment in the shop.

Misshepeshu is a dangerous, shape-shifting mythological water monster in the Chippewa tradition. Residing in Lake Turcot, he is deeply feared by the locals, who believe he has a deadly desire to claim Fleur for himself and punishes those who interfere.

George is a man from the reservation who encounters Fleur after her second drowning. Terrified of the legends surrounding her and the deadly water monster, he avoids water entirely after an eerie confrontation where Fleur hisses that he will take her place.

Fatso is Lily Veddar's pet dog. He sits with Lily during the men's nightly poker games at the butcher shop, occasionally serving as a sounding board for his owner's gambling decisions when Lily asks for his opinion on Fleur's bluffing.

Pauline's mother was a woman from the reservation who married Dutch James. Following her death, Pauline's life drastically changes as she is forced to take on adult responsibilities in her mother's absence.