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Native American Activist Maria Pearson

Ames Historical Society website

In 1971, a highway crew uncovered the bones of 28 people: Twenty-six were Caucasian. These remains were moved and reburied. Two were Native American. Their bones were sent to the Office of the State Archeologist. Appalled at the different treatments the Native American bones received compared to the Caucasian ones, Iowa activist Maria Pearson worked towards the creation of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGRA).

Host Charity Nebbe speaks with members of the archeology community about the life and legacy of Ms. Pearson, who passed away in 2003 in Ames.

Charity Nebbe is the host of IPR's Talk of Iowa