The Nationalities Council of Indiana (NCI) began as a sub-committee of ​The International Center in 1973. In 1976 the Nationalities Council and The International Center hosted the first Indy International Festival to celebrate the ethnic communities that were part of the Council at that time and showcase their contributions to the culture, history and economy of Indiana. In the mid-1980’s, the Nationalities Council became a separately incorporated nonprofit entity and assumed sole responsibility for the annual Indy International Festival. Today, over 30 ethnic and cultural organizations belong to the Nationalities Council of Indiana.

     The Nationalities Council is a non-profit, all-volunteer educational foundation comprised of more than 30 ethnic or national affinity organizations plus other groups, corporations and individuals interested in celebrating Indy’s diversity. Since 1976, the Nationalities Council’s annual International Festival, held each fall, has been a popular “Celebration of Diversity” that introduces thousands of schoolchildren and adults to the wide range of Indy’s culinary, historical, social, ethnic and linguistic heritage. The Council has worked to increase the visibility of and participation by ethnic groups in the community life of central Indiana.