Maria Pearson

Maria Darlene Pearson or Hai-Mecha Eunka (lit. "Running Moccasins") (July 12, 1932 – May 23, 2003) was an activist who 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". 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. 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. 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.

Personal 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").

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.