What was a major influence in native American culture?

Answer 1

I believe there is ample evidence to support the notion that the Maya from Mexico (successors to the Olmecs and Toltecs) traveled far north into mid west America and majorly influenced---if not actually became---the tribes inhabiting the area, including the Mississippians from which we get the name of the river and the State and the "mounds" resembling the platforms and pyramids of the Yucatan peninsula just outside what is now St. Louis and the structures found in Ohio.

The cultures of native Americans are also entirely similar to the religious practices found in the Mayan Popol Vu, a bible by any other name!

Google Maps (the satellite view), zoomed in close to the ground, will clearly show you the architecture and layout of ancient ruins in Arizona and Mexico are by the same designers.

Of course, the Maya were the first geneticists as well, cross-breeding a flimsy grass into maise---the beautiful sustainer of life we know today as corn!

Blessings to all from "the great modeler-maker, spirit of the Earth and sky!" (the Mayan God).