Maria was born in Nain, Nunatsiavut, but raised on the land with five brothers, four sisters, and a large extended family. She never attended school while growing up but graduated as an adult through Adult Basic Education and has since obtained two diplomas in social work and heavy equipment.
Maria has worked with a number of organizations as an instructor of traditional and cultural values. She has held workshops on cleaning and preparing sealskins, sewing traditional clothing and crafts, and the Inuktitut language. She is a member of the Canadian Rangers, is employed as a polar bear monitor, and loves experiencing all of what life has to offer—especially out on the land.