The french expected the Indians to side with them because the french unlike the British were not trying to conquer them and take away there land also since John Rolfe married pochantas more french men were marrying native American women this made the relationship between the french and native Americans stronger because the french were learning the native American way of life.
The French had a long term good relationship at working with the Native Americans.
The French befriended the Indians because of their brotherly-like treatment towards them and the fur trade, and the Indians were willing to fight to preserve their land. Did that help