Natives' Society

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.^[1] Natives' Societies existed in St. John's, Harbour Grace and Carbonear as well as possibly other communities.

The St. John's Native Society was formed by Richard Barnes in 1840 and elected its first president, Dr. Edward Kielly, on June 15, 1840.^[2][3] The cornerstone of the society’s hall, located at Bannerman Park, was laid by Civil Governor of Newfoundland Sir John Harvey 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.^[2]

See also

• Nativism

References

1. ^ "Representative Government, 1832-1855". http://www.heritage.nf.ca/law/representative.html. Retrieved 2010-06-29. 
2. ^ ^{a b} Carolyn Lambert, Emblem of our Country, Newfoundland and Labrador Studies, Volume 23, Number 1, 2008.
3. ^ Paul O'Neill (2003) The Oldest City, The Story of St. John's, Newfoundland (p. 515) ISBN 0-9730271-2-6