The calendar marks one day to honor moms in the world, but here in Anchorage, Alaskans are doing more than just honoring their mothers, they are honoring Alaska’s first people.

The Alaska Native Heritage Center decided to share their 12th anniversary with moms and to start their summer season celebrating motherhood.

“I think the most important thing is the bond between the mothers and their children,” said Mable Pike, a 91-year-old Tlingit Indian woman.

Pike has five children, 13 grand children and 19 great grandchildren. She says her love for them is unconditional and she is very proud of her family.

“My children might not be the head of a corporation, they may not be a president or they may not be famous or anything, but they give me the satisfaction of knowing that they are standing on their own two feet and that I have never had to worry about any of them,” said Pike.

On this mother's day the summer season starts for the Alaska Native Heritage Center officials say it's a chance to learn about our state, while spending time with loved ones.

“We don't have that connection very often with our families anymore so this is a special day, for us to recognize our moms and to have time to be with them,” said David Farve the Press Relations Director of the Alaska Native Heritage Center.

Families from all walks of life, and all cultural backgrounds came to the Alaska Native Heritage Center on Saturday to honor their mothers and mother their children.

“I have one and I am currently 1 month a way from having another one, so 8 months pregnant,” said Jennifer O'Neill who also says she couldn't imagine doing anything else and today is extra special.

“I love sharing the day, we got up this morning, they had a card for me, it's great, I love being a mom,” said O’Neill

While moms and children make crafts and learn about Alaska’s rich heritage Mable
Pike says mother's day is about much more.

“The understanding the forgiving of both mother towards their children and the children towards their parents, it works both ways,” said Pike.

If you want to get out and explore the Alaska Native Heritage Center there's more than one way of learning about the center. It launched a new interactive free "app" Friday night complete with stories, pictures and walk-through of exhibits.