Junior is a bright, resilient Indigenous boy growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation in Washington state. Over the course of his education, he faces intense bullying from peers and systemic racism from teachers, ultimately learning to protect himself both physically and emotionally. He finds a healthy outlet in basketball and excels academically, but he constantly negotiates the tension between his cultural heritage and the expectations of the predominantly white schools he attends.

Betty Towle is an aggressively prejudiced Christian missionary who serves as Junior's second-grade teacher. She frequently punishes him unfairly, makes him hold heavy books, and demands that he cut his long braids to conform to her standards.

Randy is Junior's best friend in sixth grade. He proves his survival skills early on by standing up to school bullies, establishing a strong bond with Junior as they face a hostile school environment together.

Steven Ford is Junior's cousin. While Junior discovers a passion for basketball, Steven begins sniffing rubber cement. His fleeting, damaging escapes highlight the divergent paths adopted by Indigenous youth on the reservation.

Junior's father is an Indigenous man struggling deeply with the harsh realities of reservation life. He copes with generational trauma and poverty by heavily consuming vodka, which emotionally isolates him from his child and spouse.

Junior's mother attempts to manage the emotional pain and poverty of her circumstances through repetitive, unfinished tasks. She begins sewing hundreds of quilts without completing them, an act representing her quiet withdrawal and distress.

Frenchy is Junior's primary bully during his early school years. He torments Junior over his physical appearance until Junior finally fights back, a defining moment that earns Junior a trip to the principal's office.

Mrs. Schluter is a prejudiced educator who disciplines Junior for drawing a cartoon she deems vulgar. She actively views him as crazy and guilty, openly projecting her biases onto him instead of offering guidance.

Mr. Schluter is the husband of Junior's third-grade teacher. He advises Junior to become a doctor so he can return to the reservation to heal his tribe, a comment that unwittingly places an immense burden of responsibility on the young boy.

Victor is a friend of Junior and a prominent figure on the reservation. He cynically questions the purpose of official class reunions, noting that the reservation classmates already reunite constantly at the local tavern.

Stevie is a schoolyard instigator who goads the new student, Randy, into throwing a punch. This provocation results in a physical altercation where Stevie gets his nose broken.

The Chicano teacher relies on harmful stereotypes when dealing with Indigenous students. When Junior collapses from undiagnosed diabetes, the teacher immediately assumes the boy is intoxicated, demonstrating that shared marginalization does not eliminate prejudice.

Wally Jim is a man from the reservation with a good job and a family who deliberately crashes his car. While state troopers are baffled by the incident, the Indigenous community understands the deep, unspoken despair that motivated his actions.