Chrysler Group Awards Prizes for 'Spirit in the Words' At the Native American Journalists Association 19th Convention

GREEN BAY, Wis., July 15 -- A mix of metaphors and real-life cultural experiences enabled three poets to capture the top prizes at the "Spirit in the Words" poetry contest during the Native American Journalists Association (NAJA) 19th convention held in Green Bay, Wisc., last month.

Valerie Red-Horse, an actress who has appeared on several television shows such as Santa Barbara, Anything But Love, The Dennis Miller Show, and Unsolved Mysteries hosted the event.

Cheryl McKenzie, a reporter with Aboriginal People's Television Network (Winnipeg, Canada), won first place and $1,000. Michelle Powless, a journalism student from Green Bay, Wisc., and Marley Shebala, a reporter with the "Navajo Times" won second and third places, respectively. McKenzie's winning poem, "Ever Sick" discussed the Native Americans' fight for acceptance and integration.

An independent panel of judges, composed of print and broadcast journalists, selected the winning poets based on their delivery, content and creativity.

"The 'Spirit in the Words' poetry program is Chrysler Group's way of providing an avenue for poets and writers to celebrate the spoken word," said Kenneth Levy, Chrysler Group Vice President of Communications. "Chrysler Group is proud to sponsor this event, and celebrate the journalists who offer us a glimpse of their unique cultural experiences through poetry."

The "Spirit in the Words" poetry contest is offered at the diverse journalism conferences throughout the U.S. (Native American, Hispanic, Asian and African American). The program invites participants to read and perform their works, in an effort to further the art of poetry. The poetry program began in Detroit in 1994. At that time, 47 journalists and poets attended the event. Today, the program reaches more than 4,000 journalists and aspiring poets throughout the U.S.

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