In the vast and often unforgiving landscape of northern Manitoba, the story of Reuben Matthew Buck's disappearance is one that has endured for decades, a quiet testament to a family's unanswered questions and a community's long-held memory. Reuben, a 20-year-old Indigenous man from Moose Lake, was last seen on a day that began with purpose but ended in uncertainty.
On June 2, 1978, he and another man set out in a racing canoe, their intention to dig for Seneca root, a traditional practice and a way to connect with the land. The weather that day was far from ideal, with high winds creating treacherous conditions on the water, a detail that would later become a focal point in the narrative of his vanishing.
Witnesses observed the two men embarking on their journey despite the adverse weather. It was a decision that, in hindsight, was fraught with risk. Later that same day, the racing canoe they had been using was discovered, empty and adrift. This finding triggered an immediate investigation by The Pas RCMP. The discovery of the canoe confirmed the fears that the harsh conditions had likely played a role in whatever fate befell the two men. While the circumstances suggested a tragic accident on the water, the absence of Reuben left a void that could not be filled with assumptions alone. Extensive searches were unable to locate him, and as days turned into weeks, and weeks into years, his whereabouts remained a profound mystery.
Reuben Matthew Buck was a young man with distinct features. He stood at 5'7' with a weight of 150 lbs. He had long black hair and brown eyes. A particularly notable characteristic was the result of a past injury; he had amputations of the middle finger, index finger, and thumb on his right hand. The investigation into his disappearance has remained open over the years, a cold case file that holds the story of a young man who ventured out into the wilderness and never returned. The official narrative points to the canoe trip in dangerous weather as the precipitating event, but without Reuben's return, the full story of what happened on that windswept day in June of 1978 remains incomplete. His case is a somber reminder of the power of nature and the enduring pain of not knowing.Last Seen: Jun 2, 1978
