NCI History

 

Introducing cultural herigate since 1976

Where it all started

The Nationalities Council of Indiana (NCI) began as a standing committee of the International Center in 1973.

In 1976 the Nationalities Council and the International Center hosted the first 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 International Festival. Today, over 50 ethnic and cultural organizations belong to the Nationalities Council of Indiana.

 

According to its by-laws, NCI is a nonprofit whose mission is…

  • to provide a structure for organizing and promoting cultural and ethnic activities
  • to promote and increase communication and cultural exchange across ethnic and racial lines among people of all nationalities, races, and cultures; and
  • to support the cultural and ethnic activities of its member groups and other cultural and ethnic organizations

To support our mission the Nationalities Council hosts the annual Indy International Festival, our signature event and largest community outreach program.