Dr. Margaret Johnson 'Dr. Granny'

Born August 10, 1915 - Barra Head, Nova Scotia

Passed away on: October 16, 2010 – Eskasoni, Nova Scotia, she was 95.

This is a day of celebration of a beautiful woman's life. Our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, Dr. Margaret Johnson, passed away Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney.

Born in Barra Head, she was the daughter of the late Michael and Jane (Peck) Paul.

She is survived by one sibling, Caroline Gould, We'koqma'q, six sons and six daughters, 80 grandchildren, 153 great-grandchildren, and 19 great-great grandchildren.

She was an expert in basket making, bead work and sewing, she taught these crafts in Eskasoni, N.S., Lennox Island and Morell, P.E.I., Gesgapegiag, Quebec, Conne River, Nfld. and surrounding Mi'kmaq communities. She had gone to many craft shows and demonstrations that showed her crafts such as EXPO '67 and some are displayed at the Smithsonian Museum, Washington, DC. She once voyaged from Halifax to New York on a Tall Ship and on arrival she demonstrated her basket making. She was instrumental in keeping the Mi'kmaw culture alive by passing on Mi'kmaq traditions such as language, prayer, dance, song, and Waltes.

Dr. Granny was also a great historian and storyteller. She was the first woman band councillor in Eskasoni. She was a member of the Native Women Association, Eskasoni School Mi'kmaw Language Elders Committee, Homemakers Club. She worked at the Mi'kmaw Lodge until she was 93 years old. She was the "Role Model of the Year" from the Eskasoni High school during the school year 2000-01. Eskasoni Fisheries named a fishing vessel "Dr. Granny" in her honour. She received an Honorary Doctorate from St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, in 1994.

She was a foster parent to many children since the 1950s and she continued to care for children up until recently. She was a nurturing mom to many. She will be greatly missed for her humor and she touched the lives of whoever met her. She will continue to be in many conversations in years to come.

Once asked, "What is the one message you would give to your people?" She replied: "Take care of each other, especially family, love each other and help each other. I helped many people and fed them. I'm happy to have helped everyone that I can."

Dr. Granny has gone home to abide with her ancestors in the Land of Souls, may she rest in peace forever in company with our ancestors and the Great Spirit!

A tribute to Dr. Granny by Grandson George Paul - October 24, 2010

It was a day of celebration and reflection of a great Mi’kmaq ambassador and mother, who passed away at age 95. Close to a thousand came to say farewell to Dr. Margaret Johnson (Dr. Granny) and hundred shared their comical stories of Dr. Granny during her wake. Dr. Granny was laid to rest on October 23, 2010 at the Holy Family Parish in Eskasoni.

If there was one person who truly exemplified the character of the Mi’kmaq Nation, Dr. Granny was truly a reflection of the hardships, the struggles, the triumphs, the growth and the genuine humor of the Mi’kmaq people.

The reason why Dr. Granny earned such great attention was because of her playful character. She lived life through humor and was loved and adored by everyone she met.

Dr. Granny’s parents were Michael and Janie Paul from Chapel Island. They had 12 children in all. Michael was a fisherman, lumberjack and Janie made baskets for extra income. Dr. Granny and her sisters picked up these skills at a very young age.

Her first marriage was with Albert Julian from Afton. She lived in Afton for 7 years until Albert’s untimely death in 1940. She moved back home with three of their children then later met up with John T. Johnson from Chapel Island. They married in 1947 and were promised a new home in Eskasoni with electricity and indoor plumbing.

When they arrived in Eskasoni only the frame-work of their new house was completed. They both worked hard and raise 10 children of their own plus three from the previous marriage and raised two grand children.

She was an expert in basket making, bead working and sewing and taught these crafts in Eskasoni, NS, Lennox Island, and Morell, P.E.I., Gesgapegiag, Quebec, Conne River, NFLD and surrounding Mi'kmaq communities.

She had gone to many craft shows and demonstrations that showed her crafts such as EXPO ‘67 and The Smithsonian Museum, Washington, DC. She even voyaged from Halifax to New York on a Tall Ship and on arrival she demonstrated her basket making.

Dr. Granny and her husband specialized in colorful Easter basket. Her and John T had a work barn where they made all the baskets. She recalled at one time during Easter season that they were producing close to 100 Easter baskets a day with her husband, children and friends. Her baskets at that time went for nineteen cents. They produced thousand of baskets in there barn which was commonly referred to as the “Lakla’ns.”

Dr. Granny raised 15 children and was a grandmother to 85 grandchildren, 153 great-grandchildren and 19 great-great grandchildren. Which is a staggering 14 percent of the population in Eskasoni.

She was instrumental in keeping the Mi'kmaw culture alive by passing on Mi'kmaq traditions such as language, prayer, dance, song, and waltes. She was a great historian, Mi’kmaq ambassador, entertainer, comedian and storyteller. The biggest talent she was well known for was her juice harp playing and always found time to tell her many jokes.

She was the first woman Band Councillor in Eskasoni, and served as councillor for 6 consecutive terms. She ran for Chief one year and lost by 2 votes. She was on the Native Women Association, Eskasoni School Mi'kmaw Language Elders Committee, Home-makers Club. She worked at the Mi'kmaw Lodge until she was 93 years old. She was the “Role Model of the Year” from the Eskasoni High school during the school year 2000-01. Eskasoni Fisheries named a fishing vessel "Dr. Granny" in her honour. She received an Honorary Doctorate from St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, in 1994.

After receiving her honorary doctorate degree she was no longer just a granny, she was now known as ‘Dr. Granny.’ Mi’kmaq linguist, singer, song writer and a dear friend Bernie Francis, composed a song just for her and made Dr. Granny even more famous. The song was simply titled, “Dr. Granny.” The song was an instant hit in Eskasoni.

Once asked, “What is the one thing you are most proud of?” She couldn’t answer the question. She said there are many things she’s proud of, “My children, the arts and crafts we had for 18 years, being a councilor for 12 years, the home-makers club, always being involved in the community and I’m also proud of putting the sod on the steep slope where the shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary is at.”

One message Dr. Granny left for her people was, “Take care of each other especially family, love each other and help each other. I helped many people and fed them. I’m happy to have helped everyone that I can.”

Forever loved. Forever Missed. Thank you Granny from grandson, George Paul.