HANCOCK — The public is invited to a presentation by Oliver Loode of the Uralic Centre for Indigenous Peoples (Tallinn, Estonia) at 6 p.m. tonight at the Finnish American Heritage Center in Hancock.

Loode is visiting the area to promote his organization and create dialogue with the community regarding application for the designation as a Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture. If awarded, Hancock would be the first North American community with that designation.

Loode, a graduate of Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, has been involved numerous ethnic and indigenous peoples’ programs, and has been an Expert Member of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), and has been the Head of Cultural Programmes at the Minority Rights Group International.

He is a leading member of the Uralic Center (Tallinn, Estonia) and the creator of the Finno-Ugric Capitals of Culture program. He recognizes that Hancock is the hub of Finnish American history and culture, which includes Finns, Saami, Kvens (Finnish speakers from Arctic Norway), Karelians, Estonians and Hungarians. He hopes to meet as many residents as possible, regardless of ethnic background, but is interested in community development. Loode’s professional career includes tourism development and marketing consultant, focusing on cultural tourism and place marketing.

The program is free and open to the public. Loode’s presentation will be followed by a Q&A period. The event is sponsored by the Copper Country Finns & Friends and the Finnish American Heritage Center.