Colonial Nations allying and making protectorates of indian tribes?

[Chev]

So I set up the Thirteen Colonies as a Colonial Nation, conquered some of the indian tribes for them, when suddenly I noticed, they had made a protectorate out of one of the indian nations and allyed another one, effectively hindering their own expansion.

While I'd be able to declare on the tribes anyway, the screen says they are allied/protectorate of Thirteen Colonies.
So when I declare on them, will my Colonial Nation abandon me and fight with the Indians, or how does this work?

 

[Encak]

As far as I understand colonies behave as vassals so when you declare war they automatically join you before they get a chance to honor any of their call to arms. It's a little weird but you should be fine you attack their protectorates or allies.

 

[YouMust99]

No they abandon you unless it was changed in 1.5. I haven't played colonizing nations since i found this out.

 

[Isaios]

If you declare on their Protectorate, all that'll happen is that their relationship will be cancelled (they remain your Colonial Nation, and you're at war with a native nation who is not their protectorate).

It's plenty useful to do, though if you nab too much land at a time, they'll get lots of overextention rebels