Saanich Inlet cuts into southeastern Vancouver Island, and divides Malahat Ridge on the west from the Saanich Peninsula to the east. Scott says that There is uncertainty as to the origins of the word Saanich, which is associated with local First Nations, who, according to Scott, self-identify
as Wsanec First Nations, made up of the Pauquachin, Tsartlip, Tsawout, and Tseycum
groups.1
1. Andrew Scott, The Encyclopedia of Raincoast Place Names (Madeira Park, BC: Harbour Publishing, 2009), 516.