For example, our veneration, acknowledgement, and honoring practices are not religion, per say, but rather a cultural practice of Thanksgiving. Is an American raising their hand and reciting the Pledge of Alliance or singing the Star Spangled Banner with their hand over their heart a religious activity? If not, then neither are our practices of Thanksgiving or veneration.
Ironically, metaphysics teaches us that to some degree, many things previously construed as an inanimate object are impacted by our speech to the object or by images shown to the object.
Abrahamic religions purport in their Christian Bible that the rocks will cry out and praise the Lord, and in Islam, it's believed that objects will testify against you at the time of their last judgment.
In our Paleo-Indian spiritual practices, we are aware of the metaphysics and treat nature with the veneration that is deserved. It's generally no different than if you told a friend, "Thank you", for preparing a meal.
We thank creation for what is provided and given to us. Giving thanks and acknowledgement helps to maintain balance. It's not mythology, but metaphysics, as our ancestors were scientists, astronomers, architects, and agricultural scientists.
The wisdom of our ancient practices goes beyond western understanding.