The Natives' Society of Newfoundland refers to several, now defunct, non-denominational organizations in Newfoundland established to protect the rights and privileges of Newfoundland-born citizens against the flood of newcomers to the island in the mid-nineteenth century. The societies' official mandate was to advance the careers and interests of native-born Newfoundlanders, regardless of ethnic origin or religious affiliation, and marked the arrival of a new phenomenon, Newfoundland nationalism. Natives' Societies existed in St. John's

St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador

St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...

, Harbour Grace and Carbonear as well as possibly other communities.

The St. John's Native Society was formed by Richard Barnes

Richard Barnes

Richard Barnes may refer to:*Richard Barnes , London politician*Richard Barnes , British musician*Richard Barnes , Bishop of Durham...

 in 1840 and elected its first president, Dr. Edward Kielly, on June 15, 1840. The cornerstone

Cornerstone

The cornerstone concept is derived from the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.Over time a cornerstone became a ceremonial masonry stone, or...

 of the society’s hall, located at Bannerman Park

Bannerman Park

Bannerman Park is a Victorian-style urban park located in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. The park was officially opened in 1891. Sir Alexander Bannerman, Governor of the Colony of Newfoundland from 1857 to 1864 , donated the land to create the park. Today, the park is surrounded by...

, was laid by Civil Governor of Newfoundland Sir John Harvey

John Harvey (governor)

Lieutenant-General Sir John Harvey, KCB KCH was a British Army officer and a Lieutenant Governor.He was commissioned into the 80th Foot in 1794 and served in several different locations, including France, Egypt, and India...

on May 24, 1845. The completed hall fell in a windstorm on September 19, 1846 killing two people.

The society had its own flag, consisting of a tricolour with three equal panels of red, white and green. Other Natives' Societies, notably in Carbonear and Harbour Grace, are believed to have adopted this same red, white and green flag, thus establishing it as likely the first widely recognized unique flag of Newfoundland.