Age, Biography and Wiki

Maria Pearson was born on 12 July, 1932 in Springfield, South Dakota, is a Yankton Dakota activist. Discover Maria Pearson's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is she in this year and how she spends money? Also learn how she earned most of networth at the age of 70 years old?

Popular As N/A
Occupation N/A
Age 70 years old
Zodiac Sign Cancer
Born 12 July 1932
Birthday 12 July
Birthplace Springfield, South Dakota
Date of death 23 May, 2003
Died Place Ames, Iowa
Nationality South Dakota

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 12 July. She is a member of famous activist with the age 70 years old group.

Maria Pearson Height, Weight & Measurements

At 70 years old, Maria Pearson height not available right now. We will update Maria Pearson's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
Height Not Available
Weight Not Available
Body Measurements Not Available
Eye Color Not Available
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Who Is Maria Pearson's Husband?

Her husband is John Pearson, m. 1969

Family
Parents Winifred May Keeler and Joseph Luther Oscar Drappeaux
Husband John Pearson, m. 1969
Sibling Not Available
Children Robert, Michael, Eldon, Ronald, Richard, and Darlene

Maria Pearson Net Worth

Her net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Maria Pearson worth at the age of 70 years old? Maria Pearson’s income source is mostly from being a successful activist. She is from South Dakota. We have estimated Maria Pearson's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income activist

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Timeline

1932

Maria Darlene Pearson or Hai-Mecha Eunka (lit. "Running Moccasins") (July 12, 1932 – May 23, 2003) was an activist who has successfully challenged the legal treatment of Native American remains.

A member of the Turtle Clan of the Yankton Sioux (which is a federally recognized tribe of Yankton Dakota), she was one of the primary catalysts for the creation of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).

Her actions led to her being called "the Founding Mother of the modern Indian repatriation movement" and "the Rosa Parks of NAGPRA".

Maria Darlene Pearson (given name Darlene Elvira Drappeaux) was born in Springfield, South Dakota on July 12, 1932, when her mother gave her the Yankton name Hai-Mecha Eunka (translated as "Running Moccasins").

1969

She married John Pearson in 1969, and spent most of her adult life in Iowa.

Pearson had six children: Robert, Michael, Eldon, Ronald, Richard, and Darlene, and 21 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

1971

Maria first became an active advocate for the repatriation of Native American human remains in 1971.

At this time, the Iowa Highway Commission uncovered the skeletal remains of 26 European-American pioneers as well as the remains of a Native American woman and her infant child during road construction in Glenwood, Iowa.

She learned of this from her husband, John Pearson, who was an engineer for the Iowa State Highway Commission.

While the remains of the 26 white settlers were quickly reburied, the remains of a Native American mother and child were sent to the Office of the State Archaeologist in Iowa City for study.

Learning of this incident, Maria was appalled that the skeletal remains of Native Americans were treated differently from white remains.

Pearson staged a protest in the State Capitol and finally gained an audience with Gov. Robert D. Ray after sitting outside his office in traditional attire.

"You can give me back my people's bones and you can quit digging them up" she responded when the governor asked what he could do for her.

1976

Maria continued to meet with legislators, archaeologists, anthropologists, physical anthropologists, and other tribal members, which led to the passage of the Iowa Burials Protection Act of 1976, the first legislative act in the U.S. that specifically protected Native American remains.

1995

Emboldened by her success, Pearson went on to lobby national leaders, and was one of the catalysts for the creation of NAGPRA. Pearson was featured in the 1995 BBC documentary Bones of Contention.

Maria was also nominated twice for a Nobel Peace Prize for her substantial contributions toward the protection and repatriation of Native American remains.

2003

Pearson died in Ames, Iowa May 23, 2003, at the age of 70.

Minnesota State legislator Heather Keeler and author/journalist Jacqueline Keeler are her first cousins once removed.

Her mother, Winifred, was the sister of their grandfather, Edison Keeler.