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The Piinu Nuuchi Skate Park has received a brand-new mural featuring a 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline theme, artwork completed by community artists and youth. The mural is set to be fully finished by Monday, Sept. 15.
All hands on deck to help finish the mural during the 988 Youth Skate Deck Art Paint Party and Mural Painting event.
Each painted skate deck features a 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline theme, bringing awareness to the resource. Later skate decks will be used to create a promotional banner and stickers.
Participants enjoyed live music provided by punk bands The Blissins and The Illegal Aliens, Behavioral Health prevention specialist, Dr. Tamara Turner shows off her moves.
Drummer for The Illegal Aliens performs at the event on Saturday.
The Illegal Aliens share original music with participants at the 988 Skate Deck Paint Party and Native Connections Skate Park Mural Painting event.
Local youth paint skate decks at the Piinu Nuuchi Skate Park on Saturday in support of the Southern Ute Behavioral Health Department and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Starlitt, Theoden, and Mykel Greany paint skate decks alongside their mother Dominika Joy on Saturday, Sept. 6.
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
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988 Youth Skate & Mural Paint Party – BEE Heard: Youth-designed mural at the Píinu Núuchí Skatepark!

Friday - September 19, 2025 by Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum

It was a long time coming and involved many layers of preparation but, at last, Píinu Núuchí Skatepark now features a new, striking mural designed by Southern Ute youth!  

On Saturday, Sept. 6, Southern Ute Behavioral Health sponsored a free day of art, live music, and sports led by prevention specialist, Dr. Tamara Turner, whose efforts were funded by a Native Connections federal grant for youth mental health. This colorful mural reflects some of the ways that Southern Ute youth conceive of heritage and belonging.  

The day included two live punk bands, The Blissins (Tuba City, Ariz.) and The Illegal Aliens (Santa Fe, N.M.), as a soundtrack to painting the mural in addition to skateboard deck painting and free lunch, generously provided by a 988 Crisis prevention grant and facilitated by SUBH staff and peer recovery coaches. Other generous donations from the community at large came from the La Plata County Health Department ROAR Coalition (Recognizing Opportunities Around Resilience) and The Hive in Durango. Colo. – another skateboarding hub and supportive partner of all youth in our region.  

Thank you to all who turned out to make the day fabulous, including Councilwoman Marge Barry and Emcee Robert Ortiz! We also extend our thanks to those who donated prizes for the skateboard competition, Southern Ute Education, Boys and Girls Club, and SunUte Community Center. If you weren’t able to make it, stop by the skatepark and check out the new mural. The late afternoon rain on Sept. 6 prevented its completion, but by the time you are reading this, it will be finished.  

Southern Ute Behavioral Health looks forward to future events where we can support critical youth spaces like the skatepark and provide opportunities for youth to claim and uplift these spaces with their own voices and expressions of art and belonging.  

Here’s to your good health! 

 

It’s okay not to feel okay 

If you or someone you know has been struggling with their emotions, behaviors, or substance use please reach out to us. We can help you find appropriate tools and services that could help you overcome obstacles in your life. We are here for you. Please contact the Southern Ute Behavioral Health Division at 970-563-5700 for more information or to set up an appointment to see a counselor or therapist.  

Reminder: If you need to talk to someone, please reach out. 

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