Dan
Dan is an aging Native American who is like an elder on his reservation in North Dakota. He fears that he is dying, and he fears that his culture is dying, so in order to ensure the legacy of his people group, he tells his stories to a white man (the author) who records them. They work through many issues during their friendship, including cultural appropriation, diversity, and political disenfranchisement.
Kent
This character is also the author, and the story is about this character writing this very story. This story about writing stories for Dan began following Kent's strange, surreal encounter with a sacred landmark of Lakota folklore. Then, he received a call from the tribe, wanting his help recording their stories. Kent goes and meets Dan, and they work through their differences in order to record some authentic version of their tribal folklore.
Grover and Fatback
Grover is a dumpy, overweight kid who warns Kent upon his arrival that Dan is typically extremely prejudiced against white men. The kid has a dog named Fatback, who allegedly has a fat back.
Jumbo
Jumbo is a severely overweight mechanic who suffers from an eating disorder and serious mental health issues, as a product of the sudden changes in Native culture. He is a good person, but it is clear that life on the reservation is difficult and mournful for Jumbo.
