Beatrice

@beatriceaucoin

Queer 🏳️‍🌈. She/her. Writer. Mom to one 🧒 & two 🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛. Genealogy nerd. E-Brompton cyclist. Dyscalculic. Vegan w/ EoE. OBOD Druid /|\. Stage 3a breast cancer thriver. Married to @brettbergie.bsky.social. Cape Bretoner in Calgary Elbow Métis District 6/Treaty 7.

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Beatrice@beatriceaucoin· 15d

It’s Top Gun day at Sam, @brettbergie.bsky.social, and my home. We have a standing yearly event in our family calendar in memoriam Goose.

Goose in a still from Top Gun in his F-14 seat.

Beatrice@beatriceaucoin· 17d

Tom has been letting Sam and me know he approves of our latest summer book club selection, a graphic novel anthology called Indiginerds: Tales From Indigenous Life. #yycreads

Tom, a short-haired tabby with brown and black stripes and white patches, is facing forward while having a lie down on the Indiginerds graphic novel on a bed. The cover features an illustration of a diverse group of Indigenous youth posing for a selfie one of the youth is taking. Behind the group is a city. The cover image is partially obstructed by Tom’s chest and paws.

Beatrice@beatriceaucoin· Jul 14

Mon fils—fier Métis, Albertain, et Canadien—avec sa nouvelle pancarte « Canadiens Pour Toujours ». My son—proud Métis, Albertan, and Canadian—with his new “Forever Canadian”sign.

A smiling Sam—with his hat with two buttons reading “Vote Remain” and “La Séparation Non Merci”—stands in the middle of two large Forever Canadian/Canadiens Pour Toujours that have cartoon images of yellow grasses, green hills and mountains, and blue skies with white clouds. There are QR codes and stylized red and white maple leaves on both the signs as well as the smaller sign Sam is holding. Those take the you to http://Forever-Canadian.ca. Sam’s sign also has the words:
CHOOSE UNITY
JOIN THE MOVEMENT FOREVER-CANADIAN.CA

Beatrice@beatriceaucoin· Jul 4

Family vacay weekend in YEG!

With my family and our bikes at Giant Blue airing in YYC.

Me at the Nathan Fillion Civilian Pavilion on Whyte Avenue in YEG.

Three-photo collage of cycling on pathways: 1) three of us Bridgeland YYC, 2) Brett and Sam in NE YYC, and 3) three of us on pathway on residential street in Edmonton. 1) and 3) are selfies by Brett.

Whyte Avenue animals: 1) Lily, a black-and-white dog, in The Quiltbag 2) crow on top of our hotel, and 3) Belle the long fur angora kitty with her front paws pressed against the window of The Wee Book Inn.

Beatrice@beatriceaucoin· Jul 1

From Sam, @brettbergie.bsky.social, and my #yycbike #canadaday adventures this afternoon as we paused here for a coffee shop break when some heavy rain started.

Three folding bikes sit on the left foreground. Behind the bike is a window-roofed pedestrian walkway with different dining establishments on the buildings’ sides.

Beatrice@beatriceaucoin· Jun 30

Alban Hefin/Midsummer/Summer Solstice annual Alberta OBOD camp’s photos from this past weekend. /|\

Four-photo collage: 1) moon over tents on woodsy path 2) same two tents during the day; mine has the greenish cover 3) two of the cats in the catio 4) fire in the longhouse

Four-collage: 1) heart-shaped altar rock with ritual items 2) squirrel nattering at a bunch of OBODies 3) one of my friends rescued a frog that was stuck on a tipi 4) tree that was part of a meditation I led

Five-photo collage: 1) labyrinth walk in a grove 2) selfie of me in front of labrinyth 3) bluebells nearby 4) sky above grove and labrinyth 5) memorial red dress building featuring two red dresses on an old wooden builfing

Beatrice@beatriceaucoin· Jun 22

Sam carried one of the walking sticks honouring Indigenous children sent to residential schools during the Annual Walk for Reconciliation. 🧡♾️

Sam pauses with other participants on the Annual Walk for Reconciliation. He holds a walking stick in his left hand as he stands along the flyover bridge in East Village. Sam is wearing an Every Child Matters shirt under a grey coat. On his grey coat is a Métis flag pin.

Sam walks along the river pathway with other participants during the Annual Walk for Reconciliation.

Sam gives the walking stick he carried during the Annual Walk for Reconciliation to a volunteer during a ceremony in the old barracks at The Confluence.

Beatrice@beatriceaucoin· Jun 19

Tom is announcing our family’s 2026 summer family book club first selection. #ultimatesummerchallenge #yycreads

Tom, a short-hair tabby, is on his left side on a wooden tray on top of a striped ottoman. Tom’s front paws are around a library copy of Animal Farm.

Beatrice@beatriceaucoin· May 3

Yesterday’s celebrations for my and @brettbergie.bsky.social’s 20th wedding anniversary: a trip to Deville for some fancy beverages followed by a wonderful dinner at Sky 360 in Calgary Tower. My little family is so amazing every day in every way, and it was a perfect day with them. 🥰

Five-photo collage:

Top left: Sam, me, and Brett with Brett taking a selfie. We are at Deville in downtown Calgary with our respective drinks in front of us at a table as we pose for the photo. Behind us, the words “The drink of reason” are painted in black handwriting on the white wall.

Bottom left: Sam at the bottom of Calgary Tower posing with a beaver stuffie statue. Sam is wearing a blue polo shirt with a Métis flag. The pic with the beaver is a nod to his and Brett’s Métis ancestors with their historic involvement in the fur trade in what’s now Alberta.

Top right: Sam poses with a bear and bear cub stuffie statues.

Centre and bottom right: some of our scenic views from Calgary Tower’s Sky 360 restaurant.

Brett takes a selfie of the three of us at our table at Sky 360 restaurant last night. You can see some tall buildings and scenery in the area.

Beatrice@beatriceaucoin· Feb 17

I don’t find any part of that home relaxing. My favourite bit of random weirdness, though, is the “motivational” phrase emblazoned in gigantic letters on the gym’s wall.

Home gym with one wall on which “I hope your day is as nice as your butt!” is written in a gigantic font with a mix of upper and lower case letters.

Beatrice@beatriceaucoin· Feb 4

Portrait of Stanley, a beautiful cat who used to live at 24 Sussex when his human was PM.

Detail of Stanley, a male tabby cat, in Stephen Harper’s official portrait. Stanley’s tail is curved like a backward question mark, and his gaze is inquisitive.

Beatrice@beatriceaucoin· Feb 1

Bright blessings this Imbolc to all who celebrate. My #OBOD grove had our celebration today and made Brighid’s crosses. /|\

Overhead view of an Imbolc altar arranged on a dark carpet. At the centre is a softly glowing orange salt lamp holding three lit candles, surrounded by additional small candles in glass holders. The altar is layered with lace and fabric and includes Brighid’s crosses made of woven reeds as well as dried flowers, crystals, small bowls, and other ritual items.

The four-armed Brighid’s cross I made of reeds. The ends are tied off with purple thread. The Brighid’s cross sits atop a table of faux stone and wood.

Beatrice@beatriceaucoin· Jan 22

Tom, with great interest, watched @cbcnews.ca with @brettbergie.bsky.social and me when a story came on about a colony of feral kitties being rescued and fostered after the mill they lived in was shut down.

Tom, a tabby-striped cat with white patches, sits in the left foreground on a striped cushion, watching a computer monitor that shows a photo of another tabby cat being presented with a bowl of kibble. To the left, a large window is decorated with string lights. A white folding chair stands in front of a dark wooden cabinet holding the monitor and speakers. On the wall above the cabinet, hexagonal wall lights glow.

Beatrice@beatriceaucoin· Jan 18

Perfect parking for our tea date!

Two mugs of English Breakfast tea with the bags still in sit side by side on a bar counter. Two small stacks of plates are in the background.

Beatrice@beatriceaucoin· Dec 30

So begins one of my and @brettbergie.bsky.social’s holiday traditions. #lotr

An Apple Cinema Display on a wooden cabinet shows the title screen for The Fellowship of the Ring. The title’s backdrop is part of Frodo and Bilbo’s home, Bag End.

On the wall behind the display, several hexagon-shaped light panels glow softly in a honeycomb pattern. A vertical strand of multicoloured string lights hangs to the right, and slim grey speakers stand on either side of the display.

Beatrice@beatriceaucoin· Dec 25

Happy Catmas from Tom, Sterling, Sam, @brettbergie.bsky.social, and me. Sterling had fun earlier with some new catnip toys and is now enjoying the brand-new cat lounger. Tom is being a bit more dignified, lol. #cats #yyccats

Two cats, Tom and Sterling, rest on a burgundy velvet tree skirt on a light wood floor in front of a baseboard heater and bottom of tree made of string lights. On the left, Tom, the tabby-and-white cat, sits upright with his front paws tucked toward his chest, looking calmly forward. On the right, Sterling, the solid grey Russian Blue cat, lounges curled in a small red cardboard scratcher shaped like a couch. His head rests on the edge, and one paw and his tail are draped over the side.

Beatrice@beatriceaucoin· Dec 22

On this day of Alban Arthan—Light of Arthur also known as Yule and Winter Solstice—I wish everyone a joyous return of the light. My #OBOD grove celebrated yesterday, and we were joined by a special doggo guest during our Eisteddfod. Today, Tom was my sleepy Druid cat during today’s divination. /|\

A small ritual altar viewed from above: nine glowing votive candles arranged in a circle around a single central flame on a purple cloth–covered table. Evergreen branches, pinecones, small bowls, and other ceremonial objects surround the base on a dark-patterned carpet.

Nora, who is a small, curly-haired light-coloured dog, wears a black harness. She stands on a dark-patterned carpet indoors, looking directly at the camera. Nora is hoping for more food.

A leash trails behind her, with a cream sofa to the left, a patterned chair to the right, part of a table, and tall windows with white blinds in the background.

Tom, a tabby-and-white cat lies stretched out on a pink pillow on a bed. His eyes are half-closed and relaxed. His front paws are extended. A wooden headboard and softly blurred nightstand items are in the background. In the foreground are part of a red satin tarot bag and part of a tarot cloth with a few astrological symbols visible on the cloth.

Beatrice@beatriceaucoin· Dec 7

Sterling looks coyly over his shoulder during his inspection of the window tree and presents. #yyccats

A Christmas tree made of a warm white light string is arranged on two large windows overlooking a snowy cityscape with tall buildings. The window frame between the windows acts as a tree trunk. Ornaments hang from the tree’s edges, and wrapped presents in various colours are lined along the floor and beneath the windows. A grey Russian Blue cat, Sterling, crouches beside the presents that are on a dark red tree skirt.

Beatrice@beatriceaucoin· Nov 21

Today’s Transgender Day of Remembrance was very emotional, especially with what the UCP is doing in taking away transgender children’s rights and using the notwithstanding clause. So many people showed up tonight. 🏳️‍⚧️ #transrightsarehumanrights

Sam and Brett, along with many others, gathered outside for Transgender Day of Remembrance and against Bill 9.

Some attendees with the trans and progressive pride flags.

Photo Brett took showing some of those gathered.

Beatrice@beatriceaucoin· Nov 19

While browsing Heffel’s HBC Auction, I found a few paintings I like bc of community and familial connections: @brettbergie.bsky.social & I lived in Edmonton; Lake Athabasca is where Sam & Brett’s documented genealogy in AB starts; & I can imagine scenes like this in very early Métis communities.

Lorne Holland Bouchard
Fort Edmonton, 1867
oil on canvas

Lorne Holland Bouchard
Philip Turnor Surveying Lake Athabasca, 1790
Oil on board

KUBA BRYZGALSKI
Untitled (The Trading Post)
oil on canvas

Beatrice@beatriceaucoin· Nov 19

Here’s to celebrating Métis Week & my Métis family, past & present. ♾️ Sam attended the annual MIYOOAYAAN Youth Wellness Summit earlier this month. He is proud to be Métis & of the roles some of his & @brettbergie.bsky.social’s ancestors & kin had in AB’s story. edmontonjournal.com/opinion/colu...

Red River cart with lit fairy lights on top of a Métis sash. These were the centrepieces on every table.

Beatrice@beatriceaucoin· Nov 1

Blessed Samhain to all who celebrate. My grove had our celebration today. This was our central altar and NW gateway for the Cailleach. /|\ #obod #druid #orderofbardsovatesanddruids

A dimly lit room decorated for Samhain with an altar at the centre covered in a purple and teal cloth. The altar holds candles, a cauldron, an antler, autumn leaves, framed photos, and ritual items. Electric candles in yellow, purple, and blue surround it, casting a warm glow. A tall hanging banner depicting the Crone in deep purples and blues hangs from a central column. In the background to the NW, two chairs draped in black and red cloth sit near the walls, each with a lit candle and lantern. Soft string lights line the base of the walls, creating a sacred and contemplative atmosphere.

Beatrice@beatriceaucoin· Oct 31

Also, the last photo in this Calgary Herald article. #ableg #yyc #abpoli calgaryherald.com/news/student...

Hundreds of high school students protest with signs outside of City Hall.

Beatrice@beatriceaucoin· Oct 29

A Star Trek fan named Kathryn Larsen in Vulcan, Alberta, had her love of the franchise memorialized with her headstone. Vulcan delightfully leans into all things Star Trek. calgaryherald.com/news/want-to...

Headstone shaped in the Star Trek delta insignia in sunny graveyard in Vulcan, Alberta, which has the following inscription:

KATHRYN
ELIZABETH
LARSEN
JULY 25, 1953 - FEB. 25, 2005
A TREKKER WHOSE [sic] GONE TO THE FINAL FRONTIER

Beatrice@beatriceaucoin· Oct 27

I just finished reading the wonderful new novel by @kenfollettauthor.bsky.social centred around Stonehenge’s construction. My favourite character is Joia, who is a queer leader & loved & accepted by her family & community. I recommend this book for anyone who loves Stonehenge, inc #druidsky. /|\

Photo of tiny Stonehenge replica on a blue blanket with drawn pattern of Indigenous Woodland floral beading, which is a common design motif in Métis art.

To the left of Stonehenge replica is a hardcover copy of a book with pictures of Stonehenge, one from the side and one from above at sunrise. Text on the book’s cover reads:

“#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH
KEN
FOLLETT
A NOVEL
CIRCLE of DAYS”

Beatrice@beatriceaucoin· Oct 16

Bow Falls as seen from above.

Beatrice@beatriceaucoin· Oct 16

More Banff goodness: Bow Falls trek, scenery in Banff, a painting in our hotel, and visits from local birds. (More details in alt text description.)

Seven-photo collage:

Top left: snow-covered rocks along the bank of the Bow River with snowy mountain, trees, and flowing water in the background.

Top middle: mountain, Bow River, part of a tree, part of Bow Falls as seen from a cliff above the falls.

Top right: Brett and Sam near the bank of the Bow River with our bikes. I took this photo of them from the cliff top.

Middle: Brett and Sam ascend the road from Bow Falls on their bikes.

Lower left: shallow waters and bank of Bow River with a few people scattered about, forest, and mountain.

Lower middle: Bow Falls from above.

Lower right: sun-saturated Bow Falls seen from where Sam and Brett were in top right photo.

Top: mountain and Bow River from Banff Pedestrian Bridge.

Middle left: cloudy and snowy mountain with trees, a snowy lawn and fence, and a snow-covered building as seen from Banff Avenue.

Centre: snow-covered buildings on Banff Avenue, a Canadian flag in the breeze, and snowy and cloudy mountains.

Middle right: snowy mountains and cloud cover.

Bottom: part of Bow River, snowy banks, trees, Banff Avenue Bridge, and clouds at sunset.

Top: Peter Whyte painting Sam and I both liked at The Moose Hotel that depicts fur trade era scene of Indigenous peoples around seven tipis in a clearing near mountains. People wear traditional clothing, and one person is meant to be a Métis fur trader with wearing a capote, a coat made of an HBC points blanket.

Bottom left: a raven who came to say hi outside our hotel room.

Bottom right: two house sparrows on ceiling infrastructure who got inside Wild Flour Bakery to get patrons’ crumbs.

Beatrice@beatriceaucoin· Oct 16

Some wonderful times in Banff: seeing our friend & Banff Mayor Corrie DiManno, going to Whyte Museum’s exhibit, enjoying rooftop pool & amenities, railfanning, and a non-traditional buffalo hunt I went on with my Métis family members. (More details in alt text descriptions.)

Five-photo collage:

Centre: me, Brett, Sam, and Corrie at Corrie’s Meet the Mayor Event on Bear Street. It’s a bright, sunny day, and snowy mountain peaks and buildings are visible in the background.

Upper left: fire pit in centre of outdoor community space on Bear Street.

Upper right: Sam stands directly beneath Corrie’s office.

Lower left: street lamp signage with an Indigenous artist’s painting that also reads as follows:

“The Whyte
“The Ancestors
“Are Talking
“Paintings by the Indigenous Seven
“May - October 2025”

No photos can be taken inside the museum, so I got a photo of this street lamp poster. It’s seriously a great exhibit with a wonderful guided tour. I encourage anyone who can to go. The three of us loved it.

Lower right: our bikes parked at bike racks at Banff’s Town Hall.

Four-photo collage:

Large photo: selfie of me in white robe, sunglasses, and hair tied back on the fourth floor of the outdoor patio of The Moose Hotel. You can see part of the snow-covered hotel roof, Banff Avenue, and a mountain in background.

Top photo: mountain view from patio.

Middle photo: fire pit on patio.

Bottom photo: Banff Avenue, buildings, and another view of mountains as seen from patio.

Sam is crouched with his phone on a siding to take a video of the CPKC cargo train rolling through Banff’s old train station. Sam is wearing his bike helmet, a blue coat, grey pants, and white sneakers. A Kansas City engine with red, yellow, and black stripes as well as the number 4841 is on the farthest track and starting to pass Sam.

We always make a point to stop at the train station on our Banff visits, and Sam was fortunate to get a video of the train soon after we arrived.

Brett and Sam pose with their bikes and a stone statue called Sleeping Buffalo in Banff’s Central Park. The ground is covered in snow. Trees and a mountain are in the background. This was an adventure geocache stop. The Métis people used to engage in highly organized community buffalo hunts, and I call this our non-traditional buffalo hunt because we were looking for this statue of a buffalo and Sam & Brett are Métis.

Beatrice@beatriceaucoin· Oct 15

Being in Banff with Sam and @brettbergie.bsky.social is amazing and restorative.

Selfie of Brett, me, and Sam with Bow Falls visible over Sam’s left shoulder.

Selfie of Brett, Sam, and me on a bridge over the Bow River. Mountains and trees are also visible in the background.

Brett and Sam in the distance near Bow Falls.

Brett and Sam ascend a paved road on bike. On either side of the road is snowy and rocky terrain along with trees.

Beatrice@beatriceaucoin· Oct 13

Today is both Thanksgiving and Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day. I’m grateful I get to be with my family on this chilly day in Banff. I know too many people who have passed from #mbc who should also be here spending today with their families. #stage4needsmore