When the immigrants came to America, their cultures entered the "great melting pot." In Michigan's Upper Peninsula Finnish immigrants mixed their musical traditions with many other cultures, creating a sound that was unique to the "Copper Country."

Yooper Creoles: Finnish Music in Michigan's Copper Country

Finnish communities were carved out of the forests in Michigan's Upper Peninsula four generations ago. The Finns here still practice craftsmanship that originated hundreds of years ago. Ancient beliefs are transformed into contemporary folk arts today.

Finnish American Chip Woodcarvers

From the family heirloom, to the tattered clump on a tractor seat, these rugs are an art form that embodies several ancient Finnish values. Rugs are made with recycled materials, they represent cultural beliefs, aesthetic practices and family history.