Jimmy is a vocal Aboriginal man living with his extended family on the Government Well reserve. He stands out as a fierce advocate for his family's rights and dignity against the oppressive white authorities. Quick to anger at injustice, he often uses legal arguments and his sharp intellect to defend his people, though his protests frequently lead to trouble with the law.

Gran is the elderly matriarch of the Munday and Millimurra family. She maintains a strong link to traditional Aboriginal ways and possesses a deep understanding of the land and survival skills. Despite her advanced age and increasing physical frailty, she commands immense respect from her family and provides critical practical support.

Joe is a young Aboriginal man living under the severe limitations of the 1930s depression. Respectful and deeply loyal to his family, he harbors hopes and aspirations that face constant interference from systemic racism. His focus shifts when he meets Mary, prompting him to take courageous steps to protect their future together.

Mary is a young Aboriginal woman working at the Moore River settlement. She assists at the camp hospital but lives in constant fear of the superintendent, whose inappropriate behavior toward the female workers is an open secret. Despite her vulnerable position, she exhibits remarkable bravery and defiance when protecting herself and her loved ones.

Mr. Neal is the superintendent of the Moore River settlement. He commits blatant indecencies and wields his authority to terrorize the Aboriginal residents, particularly the young women. He represents the most direct, brutal face of white colonial oppression in the daily lives of the camp's inhabitants.

Mr. Neville serves as the Chief Protector of Aboriginal Affairs. From his comfortable Perth office, he institutes policies that devastate the lives of the native population. He masks his systemic cruelty behind a veneer of bureaucratic benevolence and pompous speeches about civilization.

Milly is a hardworking Aboriginal mother trying to maintain a household under impossible conditions. She handles dwindling rations and the constant threat of government interference to keep her family fed and cared for. She serves as the practical backbone of the family's daily survival.

Sam is Milly's husband and father to Joe, Cissie, and David. He tries to provide for his family despite the lack of available work and the constant financial pressures imposed by the white authorities. He frequently partners with his brother-in-law Jimmy, sharing both the burdens of camp life and the punishments handed down by the police.

The Matron manages the hospital at the Moore River settlement and is married to the superintendent. While she treats the native population with slightly more dignity than her husband does and disapproves of his inappropriate behavior, she remains part of the oppressive system and is limited in her ability to effect real change.

Billy is an elderly Aboriginal tracker who works for Mr. Neal. He proudly views himself as a policeman and uses his whip to enforce the superintendent's harsh discipline against his own people. His position makes him a complex figure torn between the white authorities who employ him and the native community he polices.

Sister Eileen is a religious instructor at the Moore River settlement. She attempts to teach the children and even advocates for a camp library, putting her at odds with the authorities who prefer the native population remain uneducated. Her religious instruction functions as a tool for assimilation, despite her gentle approach.

Sergeant Carrol is a local police officer who enforces the restrictive laws and reduced rations affecting the Aboriginal population in Northam. He serves as the immediate arm of the law, carrying out Mr. Neville's orders to relocate the families under the excuse of following orders.

Frank is an unemployed white man who associates with the Munday family. He shares meals with them and supplies them with alcohol, an act that is strictly illegal and causes legal trouble for both him and his Aboriginal friends.

Cissie is the daughter of Milly and Sam. Growing up on the reserves, her childhood is marked by poverty and illness, directly reflecting the harsh conditions forced upon her family.

David is the youngest son of the Millimurra family. He represents the next generation of Aboriginal youth, balancing a natural desire for play and freedom against the strict rules enforced by the settlement authorities and Sunday school teachers.

Topsy is a young Aboriginal girl who works at the settlement hospital alongside Mary. She shares the daily burdens and underlying fears of the young women employed by the white authorities.

Bluey is an Aboriginal man at the Moore River settlement who plays the didgeridoo during camp gatherings and participates in official settlement ceremonies alongside Billy.

Miss Dunn is Mr. Neville's secretary. She manages his correspondence, records arrest warrants, and reflects the casual, bureaucratic indifference her office holds toward the Aboriginal people waiting for assistance.