This First Person is written by Sarah Beley, who lives in Vancouver. For more information about CBC’s First Person stories, please see the FAQ.
On July 24, 2025, just nine days after my mother passed away, a diverse group of people gathered in a church basement in Edmonton. They shared lemon cake, poured punch, and helped clean up.
Some had known my parents for many years. Some had watched me grow up. I had seen some of them post about Alberta separatism on Facebook. Others were firmly against it. But that day, no one took time to separate the separatists from the federalists before deciding who would help with the cleanup.
My parents were conservative Albertans. My father worked for Alberta Report, the conservative newsmagazine founded by Ted Byfield that represented Western alienation for many years. The Byfields were also family friends.
After my father’s passing, Ted and his wife Virginia remained close to us. They took me on bike rides to church and quizzed me on spelling words. Years later, their son Vincent attended my mother’s funeral. So when I think about that political realm, I don’t first consider ideology.
Alberta Report frequently adorned its covers with dramatic headlines and explosive imagery while also adopting the red border most frequently associated with Time magazine. (Alberta Report)
I think about people.
My mother stayed conservative throughout her life but never viewed Alberta as separate from Canada. To her, they were intertwined; Alberta was her home and Canada was her country.
I picked up many of my parents’ political views before I could even determine which ones resonated with me personally. As a child, I joined them at anti-abortion rallies but later became pro-choice as an adult. Over time, many of my beliefs evolved as well-I ended up moving to Vancouver.
None of that changed how much I loved the people or the place that shaped me.
Over time, I’ve seen political disagreements turn sharper and more personal. It’s all too easy to only know someone through their worst social media posts-turning a person into a meme or a slogan attached to their profile picture.
Online discussions can get nasty quickly. I’ve read comments telling Albertans opposed to separation to move east if they love Canada so much while those supporting separation are told to leave a country they seem not to appreciate anymore. People label each other as traitors and argue over who truly belongs there.
Then my mother passed away and suddenly we were all back together in that same basement.
Some folks taking care of me believed Alberta would thrive independently while others thought separation meant fracturing a nation they cherished deeply. Their kindness didn’t diminish our political differences; it didn’t mean I agreed with them either-but it made it impossible for me to view them as strangers too easily. Sometimes those you disagree with strongly are also washing dishes after your mother’s funeral.
That complicates any attempt to box people into categories.
Beley, third from the left, as a child attending her sister’s baptism ceremony in the church her parents helped to found in Edmonton. (Submitted by Sarah Beley)
After the funeral service wrapped up, dealing with my mother’s house and estate kept pulling me back to Edmonton repeatedly-shuttling between Vancouver and Alberta while carrying grief one way and paperwork another.
When I mention growing up in Edmonton to folks in Vancouver, sometimes it feels like Alberta enters our conversation before I do: oil fields, pickup trucks, cowboys-conservatives angry at Ottawa-these stereotypes come rushing forth first instead of any true understanding of who I am now or what life has been like here.
People often express surprise when they learn my politics don’t match their idea of what being an Albertan means......But then again,I’m still getting usedto thinking about “my” province differently than simply accepting old clichés without question.
But Alberta has never been that simple for me.
I’m proud of what Alberta gave me: work ethic mattered there; neighbors looked out for each other; if something was lacking within reach-the community stepped up-they built churches or brought food during hard times-they showed solidarity when needed.
I brought those lessons with me into Vancouver-that sense belonging drives why I’ve spent much of my working life helping others find jobs because believe strongly comes dignity comes through hard work along support necessary lift everyone back onto their feet.<p(Submitted by Sarah Beley)
Beley has spent over ten years working directly within Downtown Eastside communities.
><p>My experience included contributions made by immigrant families alongside Indigenous relatives-a reminder how future decisions surrounding benefits offered must reflect complexities involved respecting rights owed separately recognized parties themselves whose histories exist longer than just provincial borders. It brings focus upon arguments regarding “who belongs where”-noticing quite clear divisions draw along ideological lines-as such thoughts tend emerge abstract constitutional debates rather than familial connections present among differing ethnicities-individual experiences reflected across generations somehow woven together though disparate contexts yet ultimately finding common ground regardless! Shortly after marking one year since Mom left us behind-the Elections office announced independence petition gained traction meeting signature threshold under provincial citizen initiative process igniting memories once again felt familiar rooms filled laughter warmth closeness present during earlier gatherings held amidst mourning space offered comfort shared heartaches experienced amongst varying opinions expressed openly exchanging hugs condolences respectfully towards everybody attending. Some attendees supported separations sought alternative paths forward whilst opposing voices preferred unity sustaining ties remaining intact-everyone belonged inside these walls! It’s easy outside looking inwardly perceive limiting definitions surrounding specific ideas regarding conservatism/oil resentment shaping broader image particularly among outsiders unfamiliar depth complexity inherent existing reality tucked away amidst inner workings present beneath surface interactions occurring daily underneath skies overhead witness stories unfold continuously maintaining connection hopeful emerging possibilities developing hearts minds open willing listen share perspectives rich meaning absorbed alongside wisdom long established foundations rooted deeply planted ground standing firm regardless shifting tide populist sentiments prevailing every wave crashing shores coastlines presently defining circumstance faced today continuing reverberate echoed loudly throughout history recorded leaving imprints etched forever memory.. Regardless outcomes resulting independence movement arise concerns wondering transition affect debate future becomes test measuring boundaries determining who belongs based solely opinion pushed forth without recognizing nuances involved creating dialogue constructive leads toward healing connecting people together rather divide otherwise uniting communities further apart!
