René Sel

As a young man, René Sel comes from France to New France, where he works as a logger for Monsieur Trépagny. René must work for three years, and then he is promised financial independence and a house of his own. René is a cautious and sad man, who is mourning the death of his late brother Achille. After Monsieur Trépagny's death, René marries Mari, a Mi'kmaq woman, and they have a pleasant marriage. René remains a logger for the rest of his life, and eventually dies while chopping a tree.

Mari

Mari is a Mi'kmaw woman who lives with Monsieur Trépagny. She has three sons from a man named Lolan: Elphège, Theotiste, and Jean-Baptiste. With René, she has a son and two daughters: Achille, Noë and Zoë. Mari is a strong, quiet woman who is highly skilled at using wild plants and herbs...