 Until the 1850s the Native American population vastly outnumbered the population of European ancestry in the area . Nevertheless , the division between " Indian " and " white " during this era was always somewhat vague . In general persons of mixed descent were considered " white " if they dressed in European clothing and adopted European customs . " Indians " were those who lived in traditional native lifestyles . Even as the U.S. began to establish its authority over the region and some settlers from the U.S. began to arrive the Native American population continued to hold significant political and social influence as a result of the fur trade . As experienced hunters they were important to one of North America 's major business enterprises . The decline of this trade during the later part of the era marked the decline of Native American influence . 
 Until the 1850s the Native American population vastly outnumbered the population of European ancestry in the area . Nevertheless , the division between " Indian " and " white " during this era was always somewhat vague . In general persons of mixed descent <a href='uninflect' title='1'><mark>were</mark></a> considered " white " if they dressed in European clothing and adopted European customs . " Indians " <a href='uninflect' title='2'><mark>were</mark></a> those <a href='null_relcl' title='3'><mark>who</mark></a>lived in traditional native lifestyles . Even as the U.S. began to establish its authority over the region and some settlers from the U.S. began to arrive the Native American population continued to hold significant political and social influence as a result of the fur trade . As experienced hunters they <a href='uninflect' title='4'><mark>were</mark></a> important to one of North America <a href='null_genetive' title='5'><mark>'s</mark></a>major business enterprises . The decline of this trade during the later part of the era marked the decline of Native American influence . 
Until the 1850s da Native American population vastly outnumbered the population of European ancestry in the area . Nevertheless , the division between " Indian " and " white " during dis era was always somewhat vague . In general persons of mixed descent was considered " white " if they dressed in European clothing and adopted European customs . " Indians " was those lived in traditional native lifestyles . Even as tdaU.S. began to establish its authority over thdaegion and sum settlers from the U.S. began to arrive thedative American population continued to hold significant political and social influence as a result of the fur trade . As experienced hunters they was important to one of North America  major business enterprises . The daline of this trade during the later part of the era marked the decline of Native American influence .