The Newfoundland Natives' Society refers to a long-defunct patriotic organization in Newfoundland established in 1840 to protect the rights and privileges of Newfoundland-born and other longtime residents in dealings with colonial civil servants, big business owners who were not always residents, and newcomers who considered themselves much higher in the social structure than the locals even though the vast majority of locals were of the same British Isles ancestry as the new arrivals.
Newfoundlanders, regardless of gender, ethnic origin, religious affiliation or social standing were welcomed as members.
[1] Natives' Society branches existed in St. John's, Harbour Grace and Carbonear as well, it is thought, in other communities.
The Natives' 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.
This flag consisted of three equal width vertical panels of red (at the hoist), white (in the centre) and green (on the fly) in proportion 1:2.
The green depicted the cold and dangerous North Atlantic Ocean, the great many local pine trees, and possibly the shamrock of Ireland since the vast majority of Newfoundland Catholics at the time were of Irish ancestry.
One notable exception is the flag of the State of Espírito Santo (Holy Spirit) in Brazil, which is also one third pink.