Meaghan Champion intends to reform the monetary system.<\/p>\n
Not an easy ambition, she admits, as she thumbs through a pile of Tetlas, the currency she is using for a barter system.<\/p>\n
But, First Nations have a history of bartering and it is time for new ideas to help people cope financially and raise money for worthy projects, said Champion, a member of Cowichan Tribes living in Esquimalt.<\/p>\n
\u201cMoney is just a tool,\u201d said Champion, comparing the Tetlas to Canadian Tire money. \u201cOur people have bartered and traded since the beginning of time. The Tetlas will allow us to realize our cultural inheritance.\u201d<\/p>\n
So far, 35 businesses, ranging from restaurants to web designers, have signed on to the Tetla system, allowing between 25 per cent and 100 per cent of the bill to be paid in Tetlas.<\/p>\n
\u201cRight now, there are over 5,000 Tetlas in circulation and they can be used to buy services or as a reward or people can donate them to us,\u201d said Champion, who is also hoping for donations of grocery gift cards. \u201cThe more people that participate in this, the more value the Tetlas have.\u201d<\/p>\n
To obtain Tetlas, participants can accept them in payment or offer a service in return.<\/p>\n
From a business point of view, Tetlas can be used as a marketing tool, said Champion, who owns a house-cleaning business.<\/p>\n
\u201cBusinesses get new customers and people tend to buy things they wouldn\u2019t buy if they were spending money,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Tetlas cannot be used to buy alcohol or drugs.<\/p>\n
Scott Kelly, manager of Mister Sweeper Vacuums, which allows 25 per cent to be paid in Tetlas, said he looks at it as a discount for new clients.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a form of alternative currency that people can trade for products and services,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n