A young Dakota girl whose development forms the core of the narrative. Named for her resemblance to a flower by the river where she is born, she grows up learning the complex kinship rules and social customs of the White Ghost camp circle. She strictly adheres to these traditions, remaining demure and fiercely loyal to her family, often prioritizing her relatives' needs above her personal desires.

Waterlily's mother and a resilient Dakota woman. Having lost her immediate family at fourteen and living with an adoptive camp circle, she yearns for her original people. She values stability and respect, finding her footing through her devotion to her children and her strict adherence to the traditional ways of her tribe.

Rainbow's mother and a revered elder in the White Ghost camp circle. She takes an active role in raising her grandchildren, teaching them spiritual rituals and social expectations. She frequently leads the children in prayers at local shrines and treats animals with the same respect she affords human relatives.

A skilled hunter and respected member of the White Ghost camp circle. Known as a "rover," he possesses an agile and capable nature that earns him an invitation into the elite Kit Fox military society. He serves as a generous provider for his family and acts selflessly to transfer his honors to his children.

Rainbow's son from his first marriage. He forms an immediate bond with his new stepsister, Waterlily, when she joins his family. As he matures, he naturally gravitates away from the domestic sphere to train with the older men, undergoing freezing tests of endurance to become a capable scout and warrior.

A well-respected man from a neighboring camp circle who purchases Waterlily in marriage. He values industriousness but finds his new wife unusually quiet and slow to warm up to him, leading him to seek advice from his relatives on how to bridge the gap between them.

A handsome young participant in the Sun Dance ritual. He demonstrates extreme devotion to the Great Spirit by vowing to make an extravagant physical sacrifice of flesh during the ceremony. His dedication and appearance leave a lasting impression on those who observe him.

Blue Bird's grandmother. Displaced from their original camp circle, she helps her granddaughter survive in a new, adoptive community where they hold low social standing due to their lack of male relatives. She provides traditional guidance but struggles to assert authority when Blue Bird makes independent choices.

Blue Bird's first husband. He possesses a poor reputation and proves to be an ill-tempered, jealous partner. His insecurity leads him to pout, delay seeing his newborn daughter, and make baseless accusations against his wife.

Blue Bird's cousin and a head of household within the White Ghost camp circle. He acts as a generous patriarch, strengthening kinship ties by participating actively in the community's ceremonial exchanges and providing for his younger relatives.

Little Chief's uncle. He takes responsibility for training the camp's young boys into brave men, demanding they sit in the cold and jump into freezing water to harden their resolve and prepare them for future hardships.

Waterlily's older cousin. She assists the family elders in caring for the younger children and embraces the respected vocation of a perpetual virgin, actively participating in rituals to uphold her honorable reputation within the tribe.

Rainbow's closest companion. He shares a formal fellowship pact with Rainbow, a solemn vow of friendship that carries demands and loyalties equal to or even greater than those between natural brothers.

Sacred Horse's mother. She welcomes her new daughter-in-law into the camp circle and works alongside her. She bridges the gap between them, establishing a warmer dynamic than the strictly formal relationship normally required between in-laws.

Sacred Horse's sister and Waterlily's sister-in-law. She shares the daily tasks of the camp circle with the other women and focuses heavily on caring for her young son, Little Bear.

An exceptionally skilled raconteur in the camp circle. During the winter months, he gathers the community to recount the winter count, a dramatic calendar of past years, delighting the children with mythological tales and historical accounts.