Gathering in support of needed assistance in search for missing Peter Martin

Community members from across the Northland will gather in protest to address what some say is the Fond du Lac Tribal Police’s unwillingness to involve the BCA and/or the FBI in the search for Peter Michael Martin. Peter has been missing since March 8. The protest will take place today at 3 p.m. at Duluth FBI Office, 515 West 1st Street.

According to Jessica Gidagaakoons Smith, an advocate for the Martin family, the gathering is in response to growing concerns and indications that foul play may be involved. According to organizers, tribal police have not asked for help from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) or the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Related Story: Search continues for Peter Martin, reported missing March 11

Peter, 31, was last seen in the Mahnomen neighborhood of the Fond du Lac Reservation on March 8. He is described as 5’10” tall and 185 pounds, and has a small scar on his forehead.

A search has been conducted with the help of community volunteers, FDL Natural Resources, FDL Conservation, the Minnesota MMIR Office, FDL Public Works, FDL Behavioral Health, and FDL ENP. Due to bad weather, the search was suspended on March 22, but tribal police say it will resume the week of April 1.

The Fond du Lac Band says on March 28, it activated a complete Emergency Operations Center (EOC) process to boost its search for Martin. According to the Band, the EOC process requires all divisions of the tribal nation to donate all available resources.

Prior to March 22, searchers had combed through over 1,000 acres of various terrain in the Mahnomen neighborhood of the Fond du Lac Reservation. The Fond du Lac Band says the EOC will help expand the search across the entire Fond du Lac Reservation and surrounding areas.

Family, friends and advocacy groups are concerned that they have to push to have the tribal police and government to act and request for assistance. According to the release from Gidagaakoons Smith, there is a $10,000 reward for information leading to finding Peter.

“We urge the FDL police to reconsider their approach and allow the appropriate agencies, such as the FBI, to step in and assist in the search and give jurisdiction to the FBI to better investigate and search for Peter Martin,” family advocate Jessica Gidagaakoons Smith said in a release.

Anyone with information about Martin’s whereabouts is encouraged to call 911, the Fond du Lac Police Department, or the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office. The case number to reference is 24032470.