Abel is a young Indigenous American man who returns to his reservation in New Mexico after fighting in World War II. War experiences have left him deeply traumatized, and he uses alcohol to dull his pain. He feels profoundly disconnected from both his ancestral spirituality and mainstream American society, struggling to find a place where he belongs.

Francisco is an aging farmer and respected elder in the Jemez community. Having raised his grandsons after their mother's passing, he serves as a vital link to the old ways, participating deeply in both Indigenous ceremonies and Catholic church duties. A lame leg prevents him from hunting as he once did, but he holds tightly to the memories of his active youth.

Angela is a young, pregnant white woman from California visiting the local mineral springs for her health. Unhappy in her personal life, she feels like an outsider on the reservation. She views the local people with a mixture of fascination and exoticization, using her interactions with Abel to escape her own anxieties.

Ben is a Navajo man who befriends Abel and shares an apartment with him in Los Angeles. Raised on a reservation, Ben understands the harsh transition to city life and exhibits immense patience with his friend's struggles. As a traditional chanter, he retains a strong connection to his cultural songs and hopes to return to his homeland eventually.

Father Olguin is the local Catholic priest in Walatowa. He feels somewhat marginalized by the community's persistent adherence to Indigenous spiritual traditions. Seeking validation, he finds comfort in reading the historic journals of a former priest who shared his disdain for the local customs.

Reverend Tosamah is a charismatic and articulate Kiowa priest operating the Los Angeles Holiness Pan-Indian Rescue Mission. Born in a city and highly adapted to urban life, he uses powerful storytelling and peyote ceremonies to build a distinct congregation. He holds a cynical view of those who cannot adjust to modern life.

Juan Reyes is a large, albino Indigenous American man living in the Jemez community. Known locally as the 'white man,' his distinct physical appearance places him in an unusual social position. His aggressive participation in a local ceremony deeply offends Abel, initiating a severe conflict.

Milly is a white social worker in Los Angeles who develops a relationship with Abel. Coming from a background of rural poverty, she maintains a cheerful outlook and firmly believes in the American Dream. She attempts to help Abel adjust through picnics and social events, though she struggles to comprehend his pain.

Martinez is a corrupt police officer who preys on the Indigenous American population in Los Angeles. Often referred to by the locals as a 'culebra' (snake), he uses his position of power to extort money and inflict physical violence with impunity.

Vidal is Abel's deceased older brother. Raised alongside Abel by their grandfather Francisco, Vidal's early death remains a profound source of sorrow for the family and contributes to Abel's enduring sense of isolation.

Fray Nicolas was a Catholic priest in Jemez during the late 19th century. Suffering from a severe illness, he wrote extensive journal entries expressing his intense frustration with the local Indigenous American rituals, which he viewed as satanic.

Aho was Reverend Tosamah's Kiowa grandmother. Born during the twilight of her people's independence, she witnessed significant historical events like the final sun dance. Her deep reverence for the power of words and oral storytelling heavily influences her grandson's spiritual teachings.