Manitoba Heritage Council Commemorative Plaques

Pascal Breland
1811-1896

Pascal Breland (du Boishué dit Berland) was a prosperous farmer and landowner who also engaged in hunting and trade on the western plains. Born in the Saskatchewan Valley in 1811, this prominent citizen of St. François-Xavier became one of the political leaders of Métis society. He served as magistrate for the White Horse Plains district and held a number of other government positions.

Breland represented the people of St. François-Xavier in the Council of Assiniboia and the first Legislative Assembly of the Province of Manitoba. He was a member of the Council of the North-West Territories from 1872 to 1887 and was instrumental in initiating negotiations which culminated in the signing of Indian Treaty Number Four in 1874.

Well respected and influential, he was an important business and political figure of early Manitoba.