Jackson is a homeless Spokane man living in Seattle. He has worked various blue-collar jobs, married a few times, and fathered children, but now lives on the streets. Though diagnosed with an asocial disorder, he possesses a generous spirit and finds ways to survive while sharing what little he has with others. He deeply feels the grief of his displaced heritage and seeks to recover his grandmother's stolen regalia to reconnect with his cultural identity.

The pawnbroker is an elderly white man who operates a shop in Seattle. He purchased the ceremonial clothing for a large sum and is initially hesitant to take a financial loss, though he shows genuine sympathy for Jackson's situation. He offers Jackson a 24-hour window to raise the money, setting the story's main events in motion.

Officer Williams is a good-natured policeman who patrols the areas Jackson frequents. Unlike other authority figures, he maintains a friendly rapport with Jackson, occasionally offering him candy bars. He shows concern for Jackson's health and safety, attempting to direct him toward support services while remaining sympathetic to his personal missions.

The three Aleut men are stranded in Seattle after spending the earnings from a working boat that brought them there 11 years ago. They spend their time near the water, singing traditional songs and experiencing a profound homesickness for their native islands. They share an immediate sense of cultural solidarity with Jackson.

Rose of Sharon is a Yakama woman who lives on the streets of Seattle alongside Jackson. As part of his regular crew, she shares in his transient lifestyle and partakes in the alcohol they purchase together.

Junior is a young, handsome Colville man with prominent cheekbones who forms part of Jackson's regular crew. He spends much of his time alongside Jackson and Rose of Sharon, drinking heavily and often passing out from the effects of alcohol.

The Big Boss oversees the Real Change non-profit organization, which publishes a newspaper focused on poverty and homelessness. He is a humorous and kind man who provides Jackson with occasional work and tries to assist him when he learns about his current goal.

Mary is a young Korean woman who sings throughout her shifts at the family grocery store. She humors Jackson's frequent visits and flirtatious behavior, treating him with gentle affection and teasing him about their age difference and his priorities.

Irene Muse is a chubby and pale Duwamish woman who frequents the all-Indian bar, Big Heart's. She engages in witty banter and flirting with Jackson, responding positively to his generosity with his recently acquired funds.

Honey Boy is a tall, skinny young Crow man who meets Jackson during a night of heavy drinking at Big Heart's. He possesses a flirtatious, outgoing personality and employs a sharp, irreverent sense of humor in his interactions.

The bartender at Big Heart's is a large white man tasked with managing the late-night crowd at the all-Indian bar. He attempts to clear out the remaining patrons at the end of the night, leading to friction with an intoxicated Jackson.

Jackson's grandmother is a deceased Spokane woman whose memory deeply influences her grandson. Her ceremonial powwow regalia was stolen from her decades ago, an event Jackson suspects contributed to her eventual death from illness. She represents Jackson's lost cultural heritage.