The search continues for 47-year-old Peter Buckle of the Lac La Croix First Nation, who has been missing since November 15. Treaty Three Police Service (T3PS) is urgently appealing to the public for assistance as extensive search efforts remain underway across the remote and challenging terrain of the Lac La Croix area.
Peter Buckle Missing
Buckle was last seen leaving to travel to his cabin on a nearby lake. He was believed to be travelling by boat—a 16-foot vessel with white and black stripes and tan interior. The boat was not located at the cabin, prompting concerns about his route and possible distress during transit.
Widespread Search Effort Underway
T3PS and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are jointly coordinating the search, supported by multiple agencies from both Canada and the United States. Community members are urged to remain vigilant and report any possible sightings or information.
St. Louis County Rescue Squad, which assisted in the search from the American side of the border, shared insight into the scale and challenges of the effort. According to the squad, extremely low water levels have made boat access from the U.S. impossible, requiring responders to reroute through Canada—a 4.5-hour drive from their headquarters.
Despite the obstacles, the Lac La Croix First Nation community has provided exceptional support, ensuring search teams are fed, housed, and aided by local volunteers. The rescue squad reported that 26 of its members participated in the operation, collaborating with T3PS, Gakijiwanong Anishinaabe, OPP, the Minnesota Air Rescue Team, St. Louis County Emergency Management, Sheriff’s Deputies, and 911 Dispatchers. Seventeen community volunteers also logged extensive hours searching the rugged, heavily forested landscape.
Search efforts on the American side have been temporarily paused as teams return home to review thousands of drone images and other collected intelligence to refine the next steps. Meanwhile, sorties based in Canada will continue as weather conditions allow.
One of the recently searched locations included Island Twenty-Five, just 700 feet from the international border. The island—dense with boreal forest and swampy terrain—was saturated with search teams utilizing drones, helicopters, canine units, and on-foot patrols.
Appeal to the Public
Authorities urge anyone with information that may help locate Peter Buckle to come forward immediately.
If you have seen anything or have information:
Contact the Treaty Three Police Service at 1-888-310-1122 or notify your local law enforcement agency.
As the search continues, community members and responders alike ask the public to keep Buckle’s family and loved ones in their thoughts during this difficult time.
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