Since 1996, Johnson Fain has worked with the Native American Cultural and Educational Authority of the State of Oklahoma to plan and design a Native American cultural center and museum. The mission of the complex is the study, production, and celebration of all aspects of Native American culture. The site is 330 acres located on the Canadian River south of downtown Oklahoma City. The genesis of the physical design of the project grew out of Native American spiritual concepts and the desire to achieve a seamless relationship between the earth and building.

Site development and landscape design are planned to express landscape patterns of Native American habitation and culture, as well as to express program through form. Themes include Encampment, and the Three Ecologies: the Woodlands, the River, and the Plains. These landscapes are woven into the site plan concept. The building?s design is based upon the use of monumental natural materials such as earth, timber, natural stone, and Corten steel.

Architectural space in the project is defined to elaborate the Four Elements recurrent in Native American tribal belief systems namely, earth, fire, air and water. The promontory berm is built of earth, a campfire resides in the heart of the complex, windpipes acknowledge the movement of air in the Courtyard of the Nations, while water is omni present in the river and in entry fountains. The project includes a ceremonial Hall of the People with exhibition galleries, assembly and a Discovery Center for hands-on educational activities.