Jamie is a teenage boy of European heritage who was orphaned seven years ago and raised in a Toronto boarding school. Curious, impulsive, and prone to rash decisions, he acts as an explorer archetype who frequently clashes with the unforgiving Canadian wilderness. His ingenuity and deep sentimentality balance out his lack of outdoor experience as he adapts to life far from the city.

Awasin is the son of the Woodland Cree chief, known for his stoicism, maturity, and vast knowledge of the northern environment. Lean and tall with shoulder-length black hair, he values his First Nations heritage and respects the delicate balance of nature. As a natural leader, he often bears the heavy responsibility of keeping himself and Jamie safe from the elements.

Angus is Jamie's uncle, a massive white man with red hair and a red beard. A rugged arctic fur trader and frontiersman, he lives in a small log cabin on Macnair Lake. Angus is fiercely dedicated to his family and works closely with the Cree community, bridging the gap between Western trappers and Indigenous populations.

Alphonse is the leader of the Woodland Cree Indians and a deeply respected figure in northern Canada. He partners with Angus Macnair on hunting and trapping expeditions, demonstrating strong diplomatic ties with the local white trappers. He is a pragmatic leader who seeks fair treatment and honest trade for his people.

Denikazi is the chief of the Kasmere Lake band of Denésuliné. Squat, strong, and bearing smallpox scars, he is a deeply moral leader who risks his own safety to secure food for his followers. His primary flaw is an intense, historically rooted fear of the neighboring Inuit, which heavily influences his strategic decisions on the hunt.

Peetyuk is a boy of mixed heritage, possessing dark skin alongside blue eyes and red hair. He lives comfortably within an Inuit community, speaking English and honoring his family's wish that he connect with white society. He is cheerful, trusting, and eager to bridge the gap between cultures.

Marie is Alphonse's wife and Awasin's mother, described as a jovial, energetic woman who manages the Cree camp effectively. She is highly principled, advising her son that their people must never refuse food to those who are starving, and showcases both a kind heart and a strict work ethic.

Kakut is Peetyuk's grandfather and a respected leader within his Inuit community. He honors his family's final wishes by guiding his grandson south so the boy can learn about his Western heritage, displaying generosity and selflessness.

Frank Anderson is a white trapper who vanished deeply into the northern wilderness. Mentioned early as the missing inhabitant of the abandoned Red-Head Post, his absence serves as a lingering reminder of the Barrens' unforgiving nature.

Solomon is Awasin's uncle and an elder in the Cree camp. He provides guidance and support to his young nephew when the responsibility of leadership temporarily falls on Awasin's shoulders.

Etzanni is one of the Denésuliné hunters tasked with babysitting the restless boys while the main hunting party searches for caribou. Driven by an intense fear of the Inuit, he struggles to maintain his post.

Telie-kwazie is a Denésuliné hunter left to watch over Jamie and Awasin. Like his companion, his deep-seated terror of the Inuit overrides his assigned duties, prompting a hasty retreat from the campsite.

Otanak is an awkward, ungainly orphaned caribou fawn whose name means 'the backward one.' The boys adopt the fawn out of guilt, and it provides them with vital emotional comfort during their isolation in the Barrens.

Fang is a wild husky dog that escaped from an Inuit camp. Lured into the boys' cabin by the promise of food and warmth, Fang quickly becomes domesticated and serves as a crucial companion.

Ayuskeemo is an escaped Inuit husky that the boys trap and tame over the winter. He provides the isolated boys with much-needed companionship and practical assistance in pulling their makeshift sled.