Thomas Wazhashk

Thomas Wazhashk is the primary protagonist of The Night Watchman; he is based on the author’s grandfather, Patrick Gourneau, who shares many aspects of Thomas’s history and personality. “Wazhashk” means muskrat, and Thomas closely identifies with his namesake because they are both ordinary, hardworking, and persevering. Thomas is the elected tribal chairman of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, but he does not pay himself the salary because the tribe cannot afford it. To make ends meet for his large family, Thomas also works as the night watchman of the local jewel bearing plant. He uses the time between rounds to write letters and research the termination bill that poses an existential threat to the reservation. As a result, he rarely sleeps, which takes a toll on his health over the course of the novel.

Thomas’s most important relationship, at least for the novel...