Ch'idzigyaak is an 80-year-old Alaskan Athabascan woman named after the chickadee bird. She relies on walking sticks and is known among the tribe for complaining rather than contributing. When the starving tribe decides to leave her behind, she feels devastated by the betrayal of her daughter and grandson. She initially resigns herself to weeping and freezing, overwhelmed by the harsh reality of the arctic wilderness.

Sa' is an 80-year-old Athabascan woman named after the stars. Like Ch'idzigyaak, she is considered a burden by The People and is ordered to be left behind to save the younger members from starvation. Instead of giving up, Sa' becomes fueled by anger and a fierce desire to survive. She possesses a rebellious, stubborn spirit and forces her companion to take action with the rallying cry to die trying.

The Chief is the leader of the nomadic Athabascan tribe. Facing a brutal winter and widespread starvation, he makes the calculated decision to abandon Sa' and Ch'idzigyaak to ensure the survival of the younger, stronger members. He prioritizes tradition, group survival, and his social standing over sentimentality, enforcing a harsh mentality within the camp.

Ozhii Nelii is Ch'idzigyaak's daughter and a member of The People. Fearing violent retribution and the possibility of being abandoned herself, she does not protest The Chief's orders. Before the tribe departs, she leaves her mother a babiche, a bundle of rawhide strips, as a final quiet gesture of assistance.

Shruh Zhuu is Ch'idzigyaak's grandson. He deeply dislikes the way the tribe treats the old women and is disturbed by the decision to leave them to die. In an act of quiet rebellion, he hides a hatchet in the snow for his grandmother to find, offering her a vital tool for survival.

Daagoo is a respected elder and former tracker within the tribe. He understands the harsh realities of their nomadic lifestyle but possesses sharp tracking skills and a keen understanding of his fellow tribe members. He closely observes The Chief's emotional state following the abandonment of the women.