Primary #1
15 year old boy from Montreal; moves to Kangiqsualujjuaq (George River), to live with his Dad for a school term. Knows very little about Inuit culture but gains valuable insight as he learns from local people who welcome him to the community.
Noah Thorpe
Respected Elder of Kangiqsualujjuaq. Shares legends that have been told for countless generations; most notably Kajutaijug. Shares of the dark colonial history of Canada and how Inuit people have been treated by Qallunaat.
Charlie Etok
What is the name of the creature in the legend that Charlie Etok shared at the community center?
Kajutijug
The protagonist’s elementary and high school bully. Reappears in a nightmare the protagonist is having. The protagonist initially compares them to Lenny due to their antagonistic behaviour.
Roland Ipkins
A student at the local school who dreams of becoming a nurse; she works everyday after school and on weekends at the Co-op to help support her family; she also makes tiny caribou hide boots and sells them at the Co-op.
Geraldine Snowflake
A character who initially reminds the protagonist of a school bully back in Montreal. Lives with his Grandparents; his father left when he was very young. Challenges the protagonist with his words and actions frequently.
Lenny Etok
A character who demonstrates her loyalty to Bill for taking her in. She shows resilience after being struck by a pick up truck, fighting for her life to overcome the injury and succeeds.
Tarksalik
Steve’s wife; a local to George River. She provides reassurance and comfort to the protagonist in his moments of guilt that he feels towards his involvement with Tarsalik’s accident.
Rhoda
Knowledgeable and town nurse who works at the clinic. Specializes in treating all kinds of injuries on humans and animals. Demonstrates a calm demeanor and great leadership in moments of panic.
Mathlide
The teacher who runs the Individual Path of Learning (IPL) program at the local school; beginning to raise sled dogs and brings his team to attend the winter camping trip. Accidentally cuts his thumb off when chopping firewood and has to be transported to Kuujjuaq for the thumb to be reattached.
Joseph
Father to the protagonist who is trying to re-connect with; a teacher in Kangiqsualujjuaq who is valued for his cool demeanor, stories he tells and humor; often shares his insights into the weather.
Bill Thorpe
The protagonist’s closest friend back in Montreal who he keeps in contact with through email while living in George River.
Chris L'Ecyeur
IPL student who has never left George River, attends the winter camping trip and hunts Ptarmigan. Plucks a lucky feather to give to the protagonist and also has him eat raw liver from the bird. Asks the protagonist what life is like in Montreal and if he has ever eaten a “big mac”.
Tom
A leader in the community and on the winter camping trip(s). Speaks about the traumatic history of the RCMP’s involvement in the massacre of Inuit sled dogs. With difficulty, shares his traumatic experience of Residential School. Responds to the protagonist’s questions to help educate him on the life and history of the people in Kangiqsualujjuaq.
Matthew Snowflake
5 Year old boy who thinks he is Spiderman; Steve and Rhoda’s son. Has a wealth of knowledge of the land and species that inhabit George River. Goes missing during the winter camping trip.
Etua
IPL student who attends the winter camping trip. Etua’s cousin. Assists in looking for Etua when he went missing.
Roy
IPL student; has a small dog sled team that he uses as transportation to the winter camping location. The protagonist has to exercise his sled dogs the day he is busy as his Mother will give birth to his 6th sibling.
Jakopie
The term(s) used for a non-Inuit person and non-Inuit people.
(singular) Qallunaaq
(plural) Qallunaat
Originally from Ontario. Bill’s closest friend and next door neighbour in Kangiqsualujjuaq. The principal at the local school; a leader of the winter camping trip. Raises sled dogs.
Steve
Rhoda and Steve's eldest daughter who is mentioned in passing.
Celia