The Festival of Southern Indian Cultures was first held in Columbus, Georgia in 1990 under the name Indian Cultural Festival. Its partners included The Columbus Museum, the Chattahoochee Indian Heritage Association and Columbus College, now Columbus State University. The Festival was held on the College campus and celebrated the cultural heritage of native tribes through demonstrations, traditional dances, food, hand crafts, music and games.

The Festival changed its name in 1994 to the Festival of Southeastern Indian Cultures to better describe their mission and focus on contemporary cultures born in this region. The event was held the second week of October except in 1996 when the event was moved to April to coincide with the 1996 Summer Olympic Games held in Atlanta and Columbus.

One of the Co-Sponsors of the event, the Chattahoochee Indian Heritage Association opened a history center at Fort Mitchell, Alabama. A Homecoming event was held at this location for many years, continuing the education and celebration of the tribes that call this area home.

Tribes represented in the Festivals include: Creek, Yuchi, Coushatta, Choctaw, Seminole, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Houma, Miccosukee, Alabama-Coushatta, and others.