Budweiser Sued for Stealing Native American Slogan

U.S. beer giant Anheuser-Busch has been sued for using the slogan of a Native American tribe in its Budweiser and Bud Light advertising.

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The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina filed the lawsuit Tuesday, claiming the company wrongfully appropriated the slogan "Heritage, Pride & Strength" to promote its beer products on banners hung in convenience stores. The tribe’s logo, a circle divided into red, yellow, blue and white quarters to represent each cardinal point, is also featured in the banners.

The lawsuit argued the banners give a "false impression of an affiliation between the tribe and Anheuser-Busch" and is particularly offensive “because alcohol abuse is often associated with Native American culture.”

According to a study by Colorado State University, nearly 20 percent of Native American students in 10th-grade indulge in binge drinking.

Anheuser-Busch has issued a formal apology, blaming the mishap on the wholesale distributor R.A. Jeffries.

"Our wholesalers often implement local marketing efforts on behalf of our brands," the apology reads. "The wholesaler responsible for these signs removed them shortly after a complaint was brought to its attention, and has since expressed its regrets. Anheuser-Busch respects the Lumbee Tribe and likewise regrets that this occurred."