Native American Tribe Whacks Beer Behemoth Over 'Offensive' Ads

This Bud's being sued.

Beer giant Anheuser-Busch has been accused by the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina of wrongly using its logo and slogan in a "particularly offensive" promotion for its Bud and Bud Light brands, the Raleigh News & Observer reports.

The 55,000-member tribe, one of eight recognized Native American tribes in The Tar Heel State, accuse Anheuser-Busch and the R.A. Jeffreys Distributing Co. of displaying the group's logo and slogan, "Heritage, Pride & Strength," in convenience store ads.

"As alcohol and drug abuse are often associated with Native American culture, the use of the Lumbee tribal brand and an image of a Native American dancer in an advertisement promoting an alcohol product is viewed as particularly offensive to Lumbee People," Lumbee Tribal Chairman Harvey Godwin Jr. said in a Facebook post.

"As your Lumbee Tribal Chairman, I vow to make sure those responsible for this offensive ad will be held accountable."

Anheuser-Busch has issued an apology.

"Our wholesalers often implement local marketing efforts on behalf of our brands. The wholesaler responsible for these signs removed them shortly after a complaint was brought to its attention, and has since expressed its regrets," a spokesperson said.

"Anheuser-Busch respects the Lumbee Tribe and likewise regrets that this occurred."

The Lumbee Tribe's 18-page federal complaint was filed in the Eastern District of North Carolina.

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