Beading Birdsong: Art and Activism with Nina Hale

In this episode of The Spark Bird Podcast, our hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally welcome Nina Hale, a Minneapolis-based artist and activist who transforms birdsong into hand-beaded bracelets.

Nina shares her art and passion for birding, as well as her experience living in Minneapolis during the recent federal immigration surge, which has brought thousands of ICE agents into the city. As communities mobilized in response, Nina became actively involved by joining neighborhood patrols, supporting local networks, and using her art not only to remember the birds that have been lost but to stand with those fighting for justice now.

(Pictured above: The Ivory-billed Woodpecker Birdsong Bracelet Nina shared during the episode.)

Links & Resources from This Episode

🧵Discover Nina's handcrafted designs and the birds behind the beads at the Birdsong Bracelets website.

📸 See her latest designs on Instagram @birdsongbracelets.

📱Follow Nina's personal Instagram account @helenahandbskt for more birding content and community updates.

📝The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota is a nonprofit organization that provides free immigration legal representation in Minnesota and North Dakota.

💜Stand With Minnesota offers a vetted directory of organizations supporting the people and communities directly impacted. If you're unable to donate, consider sharing these efforts, talking with your community, and staying informed.