Marie is a fiercely protective mother and a central matriarch of the reservation community. As a young woman, she harbors intense ambitions of becoming a saint at the Sacred Heart Convent before marrying Nector Kashpaw. She takes in numerous foster children, working tirelessly to provide stability and order for her family despite financial struggles and a difficult marriage.

Lulu is a fiercely independent and self-possessed woman on the reservation. She embraces nature, her own autonomy, and her sexuality without shame, eventually raising many sons who are intensely loyal to her. She values her home deeply and maintains a defiant, joyous approach to life that sets her apart from community expectations.

Nector is an educated, politically active member of the reservation who descends from hereditary tribal leaders. Despite his intelligence and early opportunities working outside the reservation, he struggles to find a fulfilling path and wrestles with feelings of inadequacy. He works in local politics but remains emotionally torn between the different paths his life could have taken.

Lipsha is a young man raised by Marie Kashpaw, whom he views as his only true mother. He possesses a unique, traditional healing touch that allows him to ease others' physical pain. He struggles with his place in the family and questions his origins, searching for a deeper sense of belonging while remaining fiercely loyal to Marie.

Lyman is an ambitious, business-minded young man with a natural talent for making money. Driven by a capitalist spirit, he continually seeks ways to improve the reservation's economic standing, often bridging the gap between tribal traditions and modern American financial systems. He cares deeply for his family, particularly his older brother.

June is a restless, traumatized woman who struggles with alcoholism and a persistent sense of displacement. Raised partly by Marie Kashpaw after surviving alone in the woods on pine sap, she carries deep emotional wounds that dictate her reckless behaviors and distance her from her family.

Albertine is a medical student who maintains a complex, often tense relationship with her family on the reservation. Independent and observant, she acts as a bridge between the traditional life of her relatives and the professional world off the reservation. She holds a deep affection for her aunt June and her grandmother Marie.

Gordie is Marie and Nector's son, a man burdened by deep grief and alcoholism. His intense, enduring love for his ex-wife June leaves him emotionally unstable and haunted by their shared history, making him a tragic figure within the Kashpaw family structure.

Sister Leopolda is a harsh, physically abusive nun at the Sacred Heart Convent. She uses fear, violence, and extreme religious dogma to control the Indigenous girls under her care, forming a particularly volatile and enduring rivalry with a young Marie Lazarre.

Eli is Nector's brother who was kept out of the government schools by their mother. Consequently, he grew up intimately connected to the woods and traditional hunting practices. He provides a steady, grounding presence for the family, particularly helping Marie with the children when Nector is absent.

Margaret, also known as Rushes Bear, is an intimidating traditional elder in the community. She initially resents Marie for marrying her son Nector, but her fierce, protective nature eventually allows her to form a powerful alliance with her daughter-in-law during times of crisis.

Henry Junior is Lulu Lamartine's son who returns from the Vietnam War deeply traumatized and emotionally volatile. He struggles to reintegrate into civilian life, suffering from erratic behavior and depression despite the efforts of his brother Lyman to ground him.

Gerry is one of Lulu's sons, known for his frequent incarcerations and remarkable ability to escape from prison. Despite his constant conflicts with law enforcement, he is described as a kind, sensitive man who maintains an unwavering dedication to the woman he loves.

Zelda is Marie and Nector's daughter and Albertine's mother. She harbors resentment over the difficulties of single motherhood and frequently clashes with her independent daughter, though she remains a dutiful presence in the Kashpaw household.

King is Gordie and June's son, an aggressive and bitter man who struggles with alcohol and frequently engages in domestic violence. He harbors lingering childhood resentments and acts as a disruptive, antagonistic force during family reunions.

Moses is a solitary and traditional figure who isolates himself from the rest of the reservation, living among cats on an island. He possesses a cursed history and an intimidating aura, but shows a tender side when visited by Lulu.

Beverly is the brother of Lulu's late husband, Henry. He lives in the Twin Cities with a white wife, having chased upward social mobility off the reservation, but remains fixated on Lulu and the belief that he is the father of one of her sons.

Aurelia is Zelda's sister and Albertine's aunt. She assists in preparing for the family gathering to mourn June and participates in the family's shared nostalgia and grief.

Dot is Gerry Nanapush's fiercely loyal girlfriend. She works in construction and presents a tough exterior, initially clashing with Albertine before the two women develop a solid friendship born of mutual respect.

Lynette is King Kashpaw's white girlfriend. She often finds herself on the defensive around King's extended family and is frequently the target of his alcohol-fueled aggression.

King Junior is the young son of King and Lynette. As he grows older, he insists on using his middle name, Howard, distancing himself from his father's volatile legacy while excelling in school.

Sister Mary is a nun at the Sacred Heart Convent who uses music to soothe her mind. She is thrust into a bizarre situation when a drunken Gordie Kashpaw arrives seeking confession for a perceived crime.

Nanapush is Lulu's uncle and Margaret's husband. He is a traditional figure who guides Lulu in her youth, advising her against certain romances and teaching her the old ways of the tribe.

Henry is Lulu's late husband and Beverly's brother. He deeply loved Lulu despite her independent nature and multiple affairs, tolerating her behavior out of profound devotion before his tragic death.

Andy is a mud engineer carrying a large amount of cash who buys drinks for June before driving her out into the countryside.

Elsa works as a typist and is married to Beverly Lamartine. She dislikes children and represents the socially mobile but emotionally unfulfilling life Beverly has built off the reservation.