A lack of knowledge about Native American history hinders politicians as they deal with issues important to Arizona's tribes, a Navajo lawmaker said Wednesday.

"We need to educate them on the foundations of Native governments," Sen. Albert Hale, D-Window Rock, said as the Legislature's Native American Caucus held its first meeting. "We can step forward and be an example of how we can deal with these issues in Arizona."

Hale, former president of the Navajo Nation, paired with fellow Navajo lawmaker Rep. Chris Deschene, D-St. Michaels, to start the caucus, a bipartisan forum for legislators to discuss issues facing Arizona's 21 recognized tribes, which have more than 400,000 enrolled members.

Addressing the group, Ben Shelly, vice president of the Navajo Nation, touted a New Mexico law requiring that any state employee who has contact with Indian nations be trained in Native culture.

"Twenty-two tribes supported this bill, and we had unity on it," he said. "And I really believe Arizona can do that."

The law also requires the governor to meet with tribes at least once a year. Katosha Nakai, Gov. Jan Brewer's policy adviser on tribal affairs, told the group that Brewer is already doing that and will maintain healthy relationships with tribes.