Rosalie is a quiet, observant Dakhóta woman who enters the foster care system at age 12 after her father's death. She possesses a deep reverence for the natural world and survival skills taught by her father. Often dressed in practical, masculine clothing and taped glasses, she finds solace in tending plants and reading books. She yearns to understand her family history and find a sense of belonging in a society that frequently marginalizes Indigenous people.

Gaby is Rosalie’s dynamic, high-energy best friend. Where Rosalie is quiet and reserved, Gaby is fiery, stylish, and outspoken. She has a strong, protective instinct toward the environment and Indigenous communities, aspiring to become a lawyer to fight for water rights and keep Indigenous children in their communities. Her ambitions frequently clash with her impulsive choices as a teenager.

John is a white farmer burdened by the loss of his family and the pressures of managing his ancestral land. He works hard with his hands and desires the respect of his community, but struggles with alcoholism and loneliness. He offers Rosalie a safe place to stay through a marriage of convenience, slowly developing a genuine connection with her, though they remain divided by their different cultural backgrounds and views on the land.

Wakpá, who goes by Tommy and later Thomas, is the son of Rosalie and John. He bears a striking physical resemblance to his Dakhóta grandfather but is raised primarily within the white farming community. As he grows up surrounded by computers, cell phones, and new agricultural technology, he aligns himself with modern, chemically dependent farming methods, eager to earn his father's approval.

Darlene is Rosalie's great-aunt and a keeper of her family's history. Living in a senior apartment, she retains the seeds passed down from her ancestors, using them as a spiritual tether to call her lost family members back. She holds the painful truths of her siblings' experiences in boarding schools and the resulting generational trauma.

Marie is Rosalie's great-great-great-grandmother, living through the devastating 1862 war and subsequent forced relocations. As a teenager, she helps her mother hide traditional seeds in the hems of their dresses to ensure their people's survival. She endures starvation, imprisonment, and immense loss, yet remains fiercely dedicated to preserving her family's legacy for future generations.

Ray is Rosalie's father, a former high school science teacher who lost his job for teaching Indigenous science. He lives in a rustic cabin off the grid, raising Rosalie to forage, trap, and respect Mother Earth. He loves reading and shares this passion with his daughter, but his grief and trauma often lead to heavy drinking and long absences that leave Rosalie isolated.

Ida is a childhood acquaintance of Rosalie's who lives in a hunting shack near the old Iron Wing cabin. Originally a minister's daughter, she was sent away following an assault and later left behind by her family. She possesses excellent survival skills and acts as a silent guardian of the area, quietly providing Rosalie with food, warmth, and a connection to the local elders.

George is a neighboring farmer who holds a deep respect for the land and favors organic farming practices. He serves as a friend and mentor to John, though their relationship strains as agricultural corporations push aggressive new seed technologies that threaten traditional farming independence.

Wilma is a Dakhóta elder living at a senior center in Milton. She serves as a cultural anchor for the younger generation, holding memories of Rosalie's parents and extended family. She offers practical help and spiritual guidance when Rosalie attempts to replant her ancestral seeds.

Carlos is an elder who used to run the local gas station where Ray and Rosalie bought supplies. He works alongside Wilma and Ida to help Rosalie restore her garden, bringing a practical, hands-on approach to tending the soil and teaching the next generation about the importance of seeds.

Shirley is Rosalie's second foster mother. She treats the foster care system as a business, viewing Rosalie primarily as a source of government income. She is intrusive, unkind, and financially exploitative, creating a hostile environment that drives Rosalie to seek independence as soon as she turns eighteen.

Agnes is Rosalie's mother, a woman who suffered deeply from intergenerational trauma passed down from her boarding-school-survivor parents. Her ongoing mental health struggles created a chaotic early childhood for Rosalie. Her memory casts a long shadow over her husband and daughter's lives.