Ezra is a fifteen-year-old Ojibwe boy from the wolf clan who feels isolated and out of place in Northeast Minneapolis. Following the recent death of his mother from leukemia, he wrestles with intense grief and a volatile temper that frequently puts him at risk. When a school confrontation ends disastrously and a neighborhood fire draws police attention, his father sends him to a remote trapping cabin in Canada to learn ancestral ways and regain his emotional footing.

Grandpa Liam is a resilient and knowledgeable Ojibwe elder who spends much of his time hunting and trapping at Chief's Ridge. He takes on the role of Ezra's primary mentor, teaching him practical survival skills alongside profound spiritual traditions and respect for the natural world. Beneath his tough, humorous exterior, he carries the heavy weight of past family tragedies involving the Canadian residential school system.

Nora is an intelligent, perceptive Ojibwe girl from the eagle clan who serves as Ezra's closest friend in Minneapolis. Grounded in her cultural identity as a jingle dress dancer, she provides emotional support as Ezra deals with his grief over his mother's death. She possesses a methodical nature, encouraging Ezra to document their investigation into a recent local tragedy.

Byron is Ezra's father and a gentle college professor who teaches the Ojibwe language. He represents a modern approach to preserving cultural traditions, working in academia in Minneapolis rather than the woods. Though his son often directs anger toward him regarding past losses, Byron is deeply protective and acts swiftly to shield his family from systemic dangers and police scrutiny.

Matt is an aggressive and cruel classmate who routinely harasses Ezra and Nora. Recognizable by his greasy blond mullet and sneering expression, he creates a hostile environment for the Indigenous students at their school. After a devastating fire destroys his home and injures him, he becomes intensely determined to direct his fury and threats of revenge toward Ezra and Nora.

Grandma Emma is the steadfast matriarch of the Cloud family, providing nurturing strength and quiet resilience. She offers a consistent source of comfort, warmth, and stability to her family members, often associated with the preparation of food. She fully supports her husband's efforts to pass down their cultural heritage to their grandson.

Ruth is Nora's single mother, a quiet but fiercely protective woman who moved to the city for work following her husband's death. She prioritizes her daughter's well-being above all else. Her dedication to keeping Nora safe places her at the center of the conflict surrounding the Schroeder family.

Rita is Nora's grandmother and a respected elder within the Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation community. She represents the broader support system of the Ojibwe people, offering her home and hospitality to her family and maintaining close ties with the Cloud family.

Daniel is the chief of the Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation and Ezra's namesake. He takes an active role in community leadership and the transmission of cultural knowledge across generations, emphasizing patience and careful judgment to the younger members of the tribe.

Mr. Lukas is a biology teacher in Minneapolis who instructs Ezra's class about ecological concepts. His classroom provides an early setting for Ezra to demonstrate his knowledge of the natural world, though he struggles to maintain a completely safe environment against student harassment.

Detective Williams is a professional law enforcement officer tasked with investigating the fire at the Schroeder residence. His investigation creates intense anxiety for Ezra's family, as they harbor deep, historically rooted fears of unfair treatment by the justice system.

Buster is Grandpa Liam's tiny, five-pound dog, humorously described as a contender for the world's ugliest dog. Despite his small size, he possesses immense courage and intense loyalty, frequently alerting the family to danger and trying to protect his pack.

Ogimaa is the large, nearly white alpha timber wolf whose pack has occupied Chief's Ridge for generations. He serves as a living representation of Ezra's clan identity and the ecological balance of the boreal forest.