Maritole is a Cherokee woman navigating the grueling Trail of Tears alongside her extended family. Driven by a deep connection to her grandmother's teachings and her ancestral land, she attempts to hold her life together despite immense physical and emotional loss. Her marriage suffers under the stress of displacement, leading her to seek solace elsewhere as she fights to survive the daily hardships of the forced march in freezing conditions.

Knobowtee is Maritole's husband, struggling with intense feelings of shame and anger after being stripped of his home. Without his musket or farmland, he feels entirely powerless and often directs his bitter frustration at his wife. Over time, he attempts to redirect his anger away from his family and toward the soldiers and the United States government policies that displaced them.

Sergeant Williams is a white soldier assigned to guard and guide the Cherokee people to Oklahoma. Though complicit in their forced removal, he shows uncharacteristic empathy toward Maritole, offering her physical assistance and taking a genuine interest in learning her language. His continuous presence creates severe tension and judgment within the Cherokee community.

Reverend Bushyhead is a Cherokee man who has converted to Christianity and serves as a spiritual leader during the march. He travels with his family and actively preaches to the Cherokee people, hoping to offer them salvation. His religious views often put him at odds with those holding fast to traditional Cherokee beliefs.

Tanner is Maritole's brother and a protective family man who travels with his wife, Luthy, and their two young sons. He openly criticizes Knobowtee for failing to support Maritole properly during the crisis. He holds deep anger toward the Cherokee leaders who signed the removal treaties, blaming them for the current tragedy.

Luthy is Tanner's wife and a dedicated mother who relies heavily on traditional Cherokee beliefs to survive the trail. She draws strength from her connection to the earth and the natural environment. She often judges Maritole harshly for her association with a white soldier.

Thomas is the brother of Maritole and Tanner. His disappearance causes ongoing anxiety for his siblings, who have not seen him since the soldiers arrived to clear their settlement.

Maritole's father is a respected elder who attempts to keep his family together during their forced relocation. He defends his daughter against Knobowtee's poor treatment and advocates for peaceful endurance rather than violent rebellion against the soldiers.

Maritole's mother travels with her family on the trail, trying to manage the severe lack of resources. She worries deeply about how they will feed the babies and care for the sick in the cold.

Quaty is a Cherokee woman who travels alongside Maritole and Luthy. She serves as a storyteller for the younger generation, passing down legends like the Trickster Turtle. She is openly critical of Maritole's relationship with Sergeant Williams.

Anna is Maritole's friend and a woman deeply in tune with nature. She claims to hear trees and animals speaking, drawing strength from these spiritual connections to endure the harshness of the trail.

War Club is a Cherokee man who listens to the animals and holds fast to his traditional beliefs. He harbors violent fantasies about fighting the soldiers and expresses intense anger toward Chief John Ross for cooperating with the United States government.

Widow Teehee is an elderly, sick woman in the community. Maritole takes responsibility for her care during the brutal winter conditions of the march.

Aneh is Knobowtee's sister. She suffers from severe illness on the trail and relies on traditional conjurers to draw out what they believe to be snake venom from her body.

Lacey is a Cherokee woman who questions the existence of the Christian God while maintaining her own spiritual practices. She steps in to care for Maritole when Maritole becomes too weak to walk.