 Complete the following phrase:  The early history of Alberta is closely tied to the fur trade, and the rivalries associated with it. The first battle was between English and French traders, and often took the form of open warfare. Most of central and southern Alberta is part of the Hudson Bay watershed, and in 1670 was claimed by the English Hudsons Bay Company HBC as part of its monopoly territory, Ruperts Land. This was contested by French traders operating from Montreal, the Coureurs des bois. When Frances power on the continent was crushed after the 