his family life, Pascal Breland's political career well known within the Metis community. Breland retained status through important positions on buffalo hunts, and may have become captain of these hunts after Cuthbert Grant's death, though the records of this are not definite. Political career Breland's life as a prominent Metis figure during the tumultuous period of the late 1800s was inherently political. Known for several reasons, Pascal was the son-in-law of Cuthbert Grant, a hunt and trading chief of numerous hivernant villages, and the patriarch of St. Francois Xavier. Trusted by First Nations bands in the West, Breland was often sent as a messenger or negotiator in political or legal collaborations. He supported Louis Riel Sr. in the protest against the Pierre Guillaume Sayer trial in 1849. However, became unpopular with many resistance leaders due to his absence during the Red River Resistance of 1869-70 and condemnation of Louis Riel. In 1851, Breland was appointed magistrate for White Horse Plains. Council of Assiniboia Breland became a member of the Council of Assiniboia in September 1857. Manitoba Legislature Breland ran in the first general election held after Manitoba joined confederation in 1870. He won the electoral district of St. Francis Xavier East. In that election he defeated John Bruce who had served as President of the short lived Métis provisional government in 1869. The total vote was small as Breland won 31 votes to 18 for Bruce. Breland did not stand for re-election after the Assembly dissolved in 1874. In this position, Breland was "instrumental" in legislature and negotiations which culminated in the signing of Treaty Number Four in 1874. Northwest Territories politician Breland served two long terms as a politician in the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories. He was first appointed to the Temporary North-West Council on December 28, 1872. Appointed by Adams G. Archibald who was the first lieutenant-governor of Manitoba & NWT as members of the Executive & Legislative councils for Rupert's Land and the North Western Territory, he served this position alongside fellow Metis Pierre Delorme. He served on the council until it was dissolved in 1876. He was re-appointed two years later on July 10, 1878 to serve on the 1st Council of the Northwest Territories. His re-appointment made him the only member of the original council to be re-appointed. He was re-appointed to the council due to demands of the Métis for government representation.