A resilient Anishinaabe man in his mid-twenties, Evan works for the reservation's community works department. He is a devoted partner and father who actively strives to revive traditional Ojibwe customs and language. Armed with practical wilderness skills, he naturally assumes a vital role in keeping his community safe as modern infrastructure fails.

Nicole is Evan's pragmatic partner who keeps their household running smoothly during growing uncertainty. Having returned to the reservation after a brief stint at college, she commits entirely to her family and to the revival of Anishinaabe traditions. She shields her young children from the unfolding crisis by turning power outages into opportunities to practice the Ojibwe language.

An imposing white survivalist who travels north to escape the collapsing cities. Built like a bodybuilder, he presents himself as a well-prepared outdoorsman eager to help the community. Despite his outwardly genial attitude and useful hunting skills, he frequently stereotypes Indigenous culture and exudes an arrogance that puts the locals on edge.

The long-standing chief of the band, generally well-liked by the community for maintaining the status quo during normal times. When the reservation loses power and communication, the pressure of crisis management severely tests his abilities. He tries to reassure his people but struggles to make difficult decisions or handle rising panic.

A deeply respected community elder and widow of a Korean War veteran. She is one of the few remaining members of the generation raised speaking fluent Anishinaabemowin and practicing the old ways. As modern conveniences fail, her historical knowledge of traditional medicine and survival becomes an invaluable resource.

Terry Meegis's cousin and a highly practical member of the band council. While Terry holds the symbolic title of chief, Walter increasingly assumes the actual governing responsibilities. He brings a calm, confident demeanor to tense town meetings and coordinates the logistics of rationing and safety.

Evan's best friend since high school and a fellow band maintenance worker. Isaiah is a good-humored young man who loves listening to country music, much to Evan's annoyance. He acts as a steadfast companion during the grueling winter work of plowing roads and distributing emergency flyers.

A young Ojibwe man who left the reservation to attend trade school. When the infrastructure collapses and the city devolves into violence, he and his friend Kevin are forced into a harrowing escape to return home. He carries the trauma of the chaotic outside world back to the isolated reservation.

A young welding student who experiences the terrifying breakdown of society alongside Nick. He is Joanne's son and Tyler's younger brother. Returning home exhausted and fearful, he provides crucial eyewitness testimony to the band council about the dangerous situation in the south.

A refugee who arrives at the reservation in a group seeking shelter. As the only woman in her group of outsiders, she feels intensely vulnerable. She is malnourished, exhausted, and deeply intimidated by Justin Scott's aggressive behavior toward her camp.

Evan's younger brother, who struggles to find steady footing in adulthood. He prefers playing video games indoors to holding a job, frequently clashing with Evan's strong work ethic. His reliance on modern conveniences and lack of preparation leave him susceptible to bad influences during the power outages.

A young maintenance worker for the band and a close friend of Evan and Isaiah. He works tirelessly to plow the reservation's roads and distribute information during the snowstorms, all while worrying about his younger brother who is away at college.

Evan's father and the head of the reservation's public works department. He is a steadfast figure who taught his sons traditional hunting practices. Early in the power outage, he shares a disturbing prophetic dream with Evan regarding starvation.

Evan's mother, who enjoys modern conveniences but takes pride in maintaining a welcoming home. She frequently cooks large meals, including moose roasts and stews, to keep her family and the community's workers fed.

An administration worker for the band office. She types up emergency flyers for the chief while privately agonizing over the lack of contact from her youngest son in the city.

Evan and Nicole's five-year-old son, whose traditional name translates to "Wolf." He is an energetic kindergartener eager to grow old enough to join his father on actual wilderness hunts.

Evan and Nicole's three-year-old daughter, whose name means "Little Star." She absorbs the traditional Anishinaabe language quickly, symbolizing her parents' dedication to reviving their cultural heritage.

Cam's girlfriend and the mother of their young son, Jordan. She lives in the hydro workers' duplexes and becomes increasingly uncomfortable as her home turns into a regular gathering spot for heavy drinking.

Isaiah's mother, an active community member who assists the band council. During the food rationing efforts, she travels with Evan to assess the remaining supplies in residents' homes.

Nicole's cousin and the school receptionist. She remembers a time before modern infrastructure and approaches the initial power outage with less alarm, inviting her family over for a poker night.

Tammy's husband, who hosts a relaxed poker night early in the blackout. He partakes in smuggled whiskey as a way to unwind and ignore the growing uncertainty outside.

Nick's older sister and an active member of the band council. She helps make the difficult decisions regarding the town's emergency preparations and food caches.

Evan and Cam's older sister. She brings her son to the community meetings to hear the council's updates regarding the unexplained infrastructure failures.

Meghan's husband, who arrives seeking refuge from the collapsed southern cities. He quickly falls in line with aggressive leadership, causing his wife intense anxiety.

A large, desperate outsider who leads a group of refugees to the reservation on snowmobiles. His aggressive demands for immediate shelter cause severe tension among the tribal leadership.

Sydney's cousin, who joins a small drinking party at the duplexes. Her friendly interactions with outsiders create immediate friction among the protective local men.

Sydney's cousin, who seeks warmth and socialization at Cam and Sydney's apartment. She relies on her family connections as the winter temperatures drop.

A young reservation resident who spends time socializing with Cam and the outsiders. He struggles deeply with the harsh realities of the prolonged winter.

Jacob McCloud's cousin. He is deeply affected by the mounting tragedies that strike the tight-knit reservation community.

Sarah's young son and Evan's nephew. He attends community gatherings alongside his mother as the adults attempt to formulate a plan.

Nicole's mother. She maintains close family bonds and supports her daughter through the challenges of the long, dark winter.

Cam and Sydney's young son. His presence in the duplex makes his mother increasingly protective when unsavory gatherings begin occurring in their home.

A practical worker who tracks the reservation's diesel fuel reserves. He delivers the sobering news regarding exactly how long their power supply will last.

A member of Evan's extended family who joins the local hunting parties to secure food for the town.

The manager of the reservation's only supermarket. He tries to keep order when residents swarm the store, maintaining hope that normal supply shipments will eventually resume.

A refugee from the southern cities who arrives with Mark Phillips's group. He quickly falls under Justin Scott's aggressive influence to ensure his own survival.

An elder in the community who relies on the modern medical infrastructure. The failure of electricity and heating directly impacts his well-being.