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. The society's official mandate was to advance the careers and interests of native-born and other long-time residents. Newfoundlanders, regardless of gender, ethnic origin, religious affiliation or social standing were welcomed as members. This marked the arrival of a new phenomenon, Newfoundland nationalism. Natives' Society branches existed in St. John's, Harbour Grace and Carbonear as well, it is thought, in other communities.