Indian Horse

A young boy living with Naomi and his family in the Ontario wilderness, before authorities begin to threaten their way of life. He exudes curiosity about the surrounding world and forms the early emotional core of Saul’s resilience. This childhood period sets the stage for his later strength in the face of systemic pressure.

At fifteen, Saul moves to Manitouwadge to live with his Ojibway family and joins the Moose hockey team. He quickly shines on the ice, earning attention and opportunity, even as he navigates discrimination. The hockey world becomes a proving ground for his identity and skill.

As a young adult, Saul contends with pervasive discrimination in hockey and chooses to drift away from a professional path. He travels across Canada, and cycles through drinking and homelessness as he searches for belonging and meaning. His later steps toward rehabilitation mark a pivot toward healing.

Virgil is Saul’s Moose teammate and a steady, supportive figure who champions Saul’s talent. He helps Saul navigate competitive hockey and Indigenous identity, offering camaraderie and mentorship in a hostile environment. His loyalty contrasts with the discrimination Saul faces elsewhere.

A priest who runs the hockey program at St. Jerome’s, Leboutilier recognizes Saul’s talent and introduces him to the team. His role highlights the complex, and at times predatory, power dynamics within the school and sport system. The portrayal underscores the dark sides of authority figures in institutional settings.

Head of St. Jerome’s, Quinney oversees daily life at the school and the abusive atmosphere Saul endures. He embodies institutional complicity and the silencing of Indigenous voices within the system. His presence marks the normalization of harm within the residential school context.

Saul’s grandmother, who carries the weight of Indigenous memory and family history. She remains a link to homeland and tradition while confronting intergenerational trauma. Naomi’s endurance embodies the thread of cultural continuity that sustains Saul.

Benjamin is Saul’s younger brother whose return and illness highlight the fragility of family ties and the consequences of forced separations. His presence deepens Saul’s sense of loss and urgency to protect loved ones.