Making the choice at an early age to pursue a career in the arts, Jennifer chose dance and drama to major in throughout high school. Jennifer feels priviledged that she attended the Claude Watson Arts Programme at Earl Haig Secondary School. "I was surrounded by talent, ranging from musicians to dancers, for almost five years. I believe that I have my education to thank for a lot of my successes." This educational experience provided year-round instruction in dramatic arts, ballet, modern dance and jazz. Extra curricular training was garnred at the Koffler School of Dance, where live performances became an integral component of a solid foundation of expertise and experience.

Jennifer launched her on-screen career landing a variety of small roles, which included Maniac Mansion (YTV television series), CBC's Wonderstruck Show and a two-part made-for-TV movie, Conspiracy of Silence.

In 1992, while in the process of completing a Kibbutz programme in Israel, Jennifer was hustled back to Toronto to accept the coveted supporting role of "Pique" in the made-for-TV adaptation of The Diviners, by famed Canadian author Margaret Lawrence. The feature role, as daughter of a white mother and aboriginal father, was a perfect fit for Podemski, having a unique connection with her own personal identity. With this dynamic performance in place, a nomination for a Blizzard Award as Best Supporting Actree came as no surprise to thse who knew her talent.

Dance, theatre and radio performance also became an important ingredient of the career that was blossoming at high speeds. Following the Diviners, Jennifer auditioned for director Bruce McDonald, competing for a principal role in the high profile Canadian feature film, Dance Me Outside, based on a W.P.Kinsella story. Produced by Norman Jewison and directed by McDonald, Jennifer personified the role of "Sadie Maracle," playing a large role in the success of the film. Jennifer's hard workand energy on screen created a buzz in Canada and the U.S. As noted by Jay Carr in the Boston Globe, "Jennifer Podemski is endearingly smart and gutsy..." and by Leonard Klady, Daily Variety/Weekly Variety, "There's not a week link in the cast, with special nods to Jennifer Podemski..." A year later, Jennifer would recreate the role once more on television in the CBC series, The Rez. Jennifer recieved the highest compliment in Canada by securing a Gemini Award for best performance in a lead role.

With the new millenium fast approaching, Jennifer is having yet another extremely successful year. With previous theatre programs at the Banff Centre already to her credit, Jennifer returned to Banff in Febuary 1998, after being accepted as an actor in the Women in the Directors Chair Program. Soon after, Jennifer decided she wanted to try her hand at the art of filmmaking. With her own financing and help from her friends, she produced, directed and wrote her own short film, The Dinner, which starred Michelle St. John and her youngest sister, Sarah. She also starred in the Crow's theatre and Native Earth Performing Arts play, Red River, recieving a nod for her passionate performance in New York City's theatre magazine Back Stage and an award for Best Performance by a female from EYE Weekly's "Best And Worst Theatre Awards." She was also asked to host the1999 National Aboriginal Achievement Awards, after performing as a dancer and singer with the awards for the past three years. Jennifer is currently balancing a very busy schedule. She is the Ambassador for the brand new Aboriginal People's Television Network and will also be co-producing and directing a thirteen episode series that she has created about Aboriginal Achievers, an area she is well versed in.

In September 1999, Jennifer will debut on CBC's daytime soap Riverdale as a principal character named Michelle Martin. The most exciting news for Jennifer recently came when it was announced that she will be a part of the city's largest and most talked about festival, the Toronto International Film Festival. She will be starring in the much anticipated short, don't think twice, directed by fellow Canadian actor Sarah Polley in her directorial debut. She has also recently been cast in another short film starring Tantoo Cardinal which will begin shooting this summer.

Additional film and television credits include Annette Maangard's Fish Tall Soup, Norman Jewison's Bogus (with special training from Franco Dragone of Cirque du Soleil); Going Clean, directed by Akim Triebsh; and the short film, Short for Nothing. Theatre credits include the Baby Blues, staged at Pennsylvania Centre Stage and Sunraiser, staged at Banff Centre. In addition to her other award nominations, she has recieved professional recognition as a recipient of the Horizon Award for Outstanding Performance (American Indian Film Festival) and the James Buller Award (Centre for Indigienous Theatre) as Female Performer of the Year. Even though her schedule is full day and night, Jennifer continues to make time to speak at Native Youth Conferences all across Canadaand the U.S. where she encourages determination and provides a positive role model for youth. Jennifer promises audiences a rich combination of spice that will surely leave them wanting more. The future is promising for this young woman - just watch and see.