Belongs to the Metis Belongs to the HBC/Britain/Canada
The Metis used the land to a greater potential – bison/buffalo hunt and farming.Higher Metis population.The Metis are indigenous to the region. (settled in the area before the Europeans)Self-sufficient community.No one gave England the right to claim the land.

The HBC imposed trading laws, the Metis broke them, they got taken to court, but there was no punishment. This means no enforcement of monopoly.

The British culture didn’t fit in with the territory. (eg.: Frances Simpson who felt isolated)

 England gave a charter to the HBC.(proves England’s ownership)Canada “purchased” the land.

Canadians moving into the Red River area – farmland.

Built trading posts.

Scottish grew crops to trade to the HBC.

Europeans felt entitled to the area because they felt that they were superior.

Rupert’s land should go to the Metis rather than the HBC, Canada, Britain because the Metis use the land way more and to the greatest potential.  Also the Aboriginals/Metis were there before the Europeans and the land has been passed down through the generations.