Ni’n deluisi Margaret Cranford, my name is Margaret Cranford. I am Lnu, originally from Ewipkik, Ktaqmkuk and presently residing in Conception Bay South. I am the mother of one beautiful Daughter named Nicole.
I am a Multimedia Artist for most of my life having grown up learning from my Mom and Aunties in our Mi’kmaw Communities.
I began painting and sewing and baking at a very young age and have continued throughout my journey as I feel it has proven to be a Healthy Alternative of Mental Wellness and Creative self expression. Being Creative allows me as an Indigenous Artist to share the beauty of our Culture while maintaining the freedom to express my passion of Creating in many forms.
I love to volunteer giving back to Community not only in NL but throughout Turtle Island. I painted for Children’s Wish Foundation for NL for seven years helping to provide wishes for children with life threatening illnesses. This has been rewarding in my heart and I have been blessed to build beautiful, lasting Friendships with many Families.
I am also a very involved advocate for the MMIWG, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and with Restorative Justice.
I am self employed as an Indigenous Artist of the past 18 years after a lengthy career of 40 plus years as a Hair Designer.
I design and create Regalia for Powwows as well as a wide range of handmade moccasins, purses and jewelry.
I’ve always loved music as it was and continues to be a major part of not only the Indigenous Culture but also Newfoundland Culture.
My earliest musical influences were my Uncles from Ewipkik, Flat Bay who all wrote music, sang and played guitar as well as several other instruments.
Buffy Sainte- Marie, Robbie Robertson, Kalolin Johnson, Susan Aglukark, Van Morrison, Cher and of course Bernie Leroux are among some of the Musicians who’ve inspired me among several local musicians. Quite the mix, I know. I love all Jaundras of music really. I’m most inspired by the stories being told through song and beautiful instrumentals.
Last year a cousin of mine, well known Musician Bernie Leroux of St. Judes asked me if I’d like to collaborate on a piece of music, to which I was excited and agreed. We began to write together. Bernie wrote and sang, and I wrote as the Storyteller. This piece of music is in Honour of the Ancestors and of the next seven generations. A story we felt had to be shared from a place of Love and Respect. I’d thought about creating music but had not followed through up to that point in time. We began a lengthy process during the pandemic from separate locations. We had many conversations and I felt it would be wonderful to incorporate other Indigenous Artists to accompany us in our Storytelling Song Titled”Nijan” meaning My Child in the Mi’kmaw language. I contacted Inuit throat Singers Ashley Dicker and Tabitha Blake and asked if they would like to add their beautiful voices to our piece with their Traditional Throat singing.
We also wanted to include other Nations from across Turtle Island and we reached out to a Mi’kmaw cousin Carmel Whittle who also represents the 2LGBTQS2 community and is living on Algonquin Territory and asked if she and some of her friends would drum and chant. They excitedly agreed. We feel great about inclusiveness. We all worked collaborately from many different locations and our song was Created. I say that Love is an Action, and this song is filled with Love and Pride for and of our peoples. We have Artists ranging from 15 years to 78 years including Master Producer Brandon Hopkins.
This is a list of who they are:
Music titled “Nijan” means “My Child” in the Mi’kmaw language.
(Composed and Written) by Margaret Jessica Cranford & Bernie C Leroux.
Accompanied by Carmel Whittle Chanting, Theo Paradis and Patsea
Griffin Drumming, Cameron Barker ( Guitar), Corey Reynolds(flute), Ashley
Dicker, Tabitha Blake ( Throat Singers). This song includes other Nations
and Territories across Turtle Island, many of who generously donated their
beautiful gifts of music Honouring all with Love and Respect