Chief John Big Tree

Chief John Big Tree was born on June 2 1877 in Buffalo New York as Isaac Johnny John He was an actor known for She Wore a Yellow Ribbon 1949 Drums Along the Mohawk 1939 and Devils Doorway 1950 He died on July 6 1967 in Onondaga Indian Reservation New York One of three men who posed for artist James Fraser for the profile which became the famous Indian head nickel or buffalo nickel minted 19131938 The other two were Chief Two Moons of the Cheyenne and Chief Iron Tail of the Lakota Sioux The image was reused for a special commemorative 50 gold piece in 2006the USAs first 24k pure gold coin Big Tree was a member of the Seneca Nation