Alaskan native pottery with loons, seals, and geese

This vase was given to us by a friend who lived in Alaska for many years. I am the president of an all-volunteer nonprofit, and she was a member. I don't know anything about it except her sister told me that it was very valuable. It's pottery, 17 inches high and 34 inches around at the greatest width. There is a mark on the bottom which I can't read; turned sideways it looks like the last mark is an "M". I'd love to know its age and anything about its history. I know that she treasured it and that it was in a place of prominence in her home. The handles are loons, the white figures are seals, and then geese or ducks flying on the body of the vase. Thank you for anything you can tell me about this vase or vases like it.