On September 17, 1993, 34-year-old Indigenous hunter Howard Metacat disappeared while alone along the Hay River, about six miles north of Indian Cabins in northern Alberta. He had a campsite in the remote area and walked away from it in the early morning hours; he never returned.

Howard was described as heavy set, 5 feet 11 inches and about 201 pounds, with long black hair, brown eyes and a two-inch scar on the right side of his neck. He was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, a grey cotton shirt, light blue denim jeans and black boots. The High Level RCMP conducted searches, but the terrain and time passed prevented a definitive outcome and no trace leading to closure has been reported.

If anyone had contact with Howard around Indian Cabins in September 1993 or remembers seeing someone matching his description near the Hay River that day, any information could help bring answers to his family.