For much of the 17th and 18th century centuries, the region was claimed by both Great Britain and France, which both sent merchants into the area to trade with the Algonquin-and Iroquois-speaking Native Americans in the region.
For much of the 17th and 18th century centuries, the region was part of New France, the possessions of France in North America that included Quebec. It was explored by French trappers, who traded with the Algonquin-and Iroquois-speaking Native Americans in the region.