You can always count on Aboriginal people being used as a political football in the dying days of Federal election campaigns. This year it's about "welcome to Country" and the flying of the Aboriginal flag.

These are at best symbolic acts that recognise the prior occupation of this continent by a people whose cultural connection is broad and deep. This culture is also known for the resilience and fortitude of its people. We don't give up. There is no way that a vote in an election is going to make these facts go away or the people to stop asserting their rights.

There are other incontrovertible facts that seem to be hardly mentioned in contemporary Australia. Aboriginal people are patriots in a very immediate and meaningful way. We are prominent, achieving in every field, and punching above our weight. Reference the huge explosion in Aboriginal cultural expression, most prominent being our art that is amongst the most sought after in the world. Then look at our talent in film, theatre, literature, dance and music. Not to mention, education, science, medicine, law, administration - football, athletics, tennis, I could go on. Am I uncovering some well-kept secret here?

Also keep in mind that we are so deadly that many others want to be us! Poor copies but still, you get my point.

All of the explosion in Aboriginal creativity and high achievement is being fed by the steady heartbeat of our cultural ways of being, our understandings from the old people of what it means to be human. Many of us are not perfect in this but we figure it is good to have cultural ways moving amongst us.

We are continually inspired by the Aboriginal people of remote Australia who live in their law, who retain their languages, and who travel their songlines. We all strive for progress towards perfection.

Many of us are living with complex issues, preoccupied with family and kin, poor nutrition, health issues and live in poverty. So much so that we are not really concerned with the white man's politics in which we have come to understand our marginalisation. And we don't like the open conflict that contrasts with our preferred way of quiet discussion and consensus.

There is a history of white people not understanding us but that has changed dramatically. And it will change more. Our culture has so much to offer and more and more people around the world are recognising this.

Truth is we have not had a great history of voting, we have not prioritised participation in the democratic process. The parties and candidates have not always felt a need to reach out and discuss our needs with us within electorates. This may be about to change because the old lion there is waking up and he might even roar yet.

We are beginning to realise that we have power at the ballot box, particularly in electorates with large numbers of potential Aboriginal voters.

Back to the "political football". We are beginning to ignore these fringe irreconcilable and divisive issues. We understand that we are being ghosted in that these low-level debates are taking away from the real issues. And what are the real issues?

The top of my list is: The wilful and abhorrent neglect of the remote Aboriginal communities. We need to invest in them and their beautiful culture and way of life. Rightly recognise this as an asset to all Australians and a way to guarantee all of our futures.

Dr Victoria Grieves Williams is Warraimaay from the midnorth coast of NSW and an historian.