Marie Olson was born in Juneau and in her earlier years spoke only Tlingit. She is a member of the Wooshkeetaan Eagle clan of Aak'w kwaan and Tlingit name is Kaayistaan which was the name of her maternal grandmother. Marie attended school in Juneau, Seattle, and San Francisco. After raising a family and working in Native American projects in the San Francisco area, she returned to school and graduated from UAS. In addition to her art, writing, and gardening, she works for the preservation of the Tlingit language, culture, and history