The Alaska Native Heritage Center will celebrate its opening day for the summer season on Mother’s Day, May 11, 2003. To celebrate Mother’s Day, and to recognize local community support, the Heritage Center has dropped its admission prices. Mothers will be admitted free and everyone else pays only a $1.
There will be free coffee and soda as well as food specials at the Heritage Center Potlatch Grill. Additional parking will be available at Bartlett High School, with free shuttle service to the front door. Heritage Center memberships are available for purchase with benefits such as free admission for one year, discounts on classes and non-consignment items in the gift shop.

Opening day at the Heritage Center also marks the beginning of the summer season with its new hours. After May 11, the daily hours will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The 2003 summer theme is “Explore the Past, Experience the People,” a culmination of the Heritage Center’s first four years of operation, focusing on traditional housing, watercraft, healing, and clothing of Alaska’s Native cultures.

Opening day offers presentations on Native clothing, Qayaqs and Canoes, and Native games. The Alaska Native Heritage Center Dance Group will be performing throughout the day. Families will also be able to take Native dance lessons. Children’s activities such as map and culture games, as well as arts and crafts, will be available. More information about the Alaska Native Heritage Center can be found by visiting www.alaskanative.net or by calling (907) 330-8000 or (800) 315-6608.