 At the beginning of the 19th century many parts of the Minnesota area were already well traveled by British and French explorers . Though the region 's population was mostly Native American , there were important British trading posts in the area with many European and mixed @-@ race settlers , particularly in the north . Grand Portage , in particular , had long been established as the major trading center for the North West Company . 
 At the beginning of the 19th century many parts of the Minnesota area<a href='been_done' title='1'><mark></mark></a> <a href='uninflect' title='2'><mark>were</mark></a> already well traveled by British and French explorers . Though the region <a href='null_genetive' title='3'><mark>'s</mark></a>population was mostly Native American , <a href='dey_it' title='4'><mark>there</mark></a> <a href='uninflect' title='5'><mark>were</mark></a> important British trading posts in the area with many European and mixed @-@ race settlers , particularly in the north . Grand Portage , in particular , <a href='been_done' title='6'><mark>had</mark></a> long been established as the major trading center for the North West Company . 
At the beginning of the 19th century many parts of the Minnesota area done was already well traveled by British and French explorers . Though the region  population was mostly Native American , it was important British trading posts in the area with many European and mixed @-@ race settlers , particularly in the north . Grand Portage , in particular , done long been established as da major trading center fa tdaNorth West Company .