Tecumseh is a fifteen-year-old Indigenous boy living between the American border town of Truth and the Canadian reservation of Bright Water. He is a methodical and inquisitive teenager who tries to make sense of the adult world. Often acting as an observer, he asks questions about his community and his family's history.

Lum is Tecumseh's best friend and constant companion during the summer. He carries deep-seated anger stemming from his turbulent home life and his mother's absence. He focuses much of his energy on physical activities, particularly preparing for an upcoming race at the Indian Days festival.

Soldier is Tecumseh's loyal boxer dog, originally a gift from Elvin. He is deeply protective of Tecumseh and frequently accompanies him on excursions across the prairie. His sharp instincts often lead the boys into new discoveries or keep them out of trouble.

Monroe is a famous artist who has recently returned to his hometown of Bright Water after finding success in Toronto. He is an eccentric and enigmatic figure who wears a wig, occasionally uses a wheelchair, and employs highly unconventional methods in his restoration projects. He hires Tecumseh to assist him in his creative work around the old church.

Elvin is Tecumseh's estranged father, a craftsman who makes wooden figurines and frequently smuggles goods across the border. He feels deeply trapped by his circumstances and struggles to communicate his feelings effectively. His complicated views on manhood often create distance between him and his family.

Tecumseh's mother is a beautician who dreams of a life outside the reservation and pursues acting in local theater productions. She holds onto long-standing family secrets and shares a close, somewhat tense bond with her sister Cassie. She is highly protective of her son but keeps him insulated from her past.

Cassie is Tecumseh's worldly aunt who frequently travels and sends him unusual gifts. She sports a tattoo associated with the American Indian Movement and brings a sense of the outside world back to the reservation. She shares a secretive history with the rest of the family and often acts as a disruptive presence.

Franklin is the chief of the local tribe and Lum's father. He organizes the Indian Days festival, importing buffalo and motorcycles to attract white tourists to the area. He runs his household with extreme harshness, creating a dangerous environment for his son.

Tecumseh's grandmother is a pragmatic elder who provides a stabilizing presence for her family. She lives in Truth and maintains traditional practices while observing the ongoing conflicts between her daughters.

Rebecca is a young Cherokee woman visiting the area for the Indian Days festival. She crosses paths with Tecumseh several times, offering him small tokens and reciting traditional stories.

Lucy is a local woman and regular client at the beauty shop. She holds a firm belief that Marilyn Monroe was secretly Indigenous and bleaches her own hair in a bid to reclaim that identity.

Miles is a real estate agent operating in the town of Truth. He is responsible for selling the dilapidated local church to the returning artist Monroe.

Skee is a local resident of Truth who frequently spends time with Elvin. He is often cynical about the town's economic prospects and the various schemes of his friends.

Carol is the director of the local modern theatrical production of Snow White. She reimagines the classic story by centering the queen and casting Indigenous actresses in the lead roles.