Robert Soto

The Lipan Apaches at one time lived in the area of Southwest Texas and its border with northern Mexico until the 1880's, when Texas became a state and passed laws forbidding Native Americans from living in the newfound state. At that time, most of the Lipan Apaches moved to the mountains of Mexico and to several of the reservations in New Mexico and Oklahoma. Yet many of them continued to live in the area by changing their names and adopting the Mexican culture.

Robert Soto, a Lipan Apache, has been dancing for nearly 50 years, since he was 8 years old. He has been a feather dancer for over 40 years and has won many awards for his Indian dancing and artwork in various pow wows throughout the nation. He has been Gourd Dancing for many years and currently is an active member of the Gulf Coast Tia Piah Gourd Dance Society of Houston, Texas. He also plays the Indian Love Flute and has been performing the Eagle Dance and the Hoop Dance for over 35 years. Robert's dancing is his way of preserving the Native American culture. When Robert dances, he dances in honor of his ancestors who danced before him, and for the glory and honor of the Lord Jesus Christ, who has given him the opportunity to dance. Robert enjoys his culture and will take every opportunity to share it with others. All of Robert's Indian outfit was handmade by him - from the beadwork to the featherwork. His outfit goes with him wherever he travels. He, along with the South Texas Indian Dancers, performs about 40 times a year.

During his dancing career, Robert has had the privilege to perform and share his heritage and faith internationally. In the summer of 2000 he, along with his daughter and six other Native Americans from the United States and Canada, traveled through Europe. His travels took him to France, Germany and Switzerland, performing 29 times in the 19 days in Europe. They were invited back for a repeat performance in the fall of 2001, and he has since led several ministry tours in Europe and Australia. He also had the privilege to perform in the jungles of South America among the Xavante Indians and for the grand chiefs of eleven other tribal groups from Agentina and Brazil. Along with dancing abroad, he has performed throughout the United States and in Mexico and Canada.

Robert Soto presently is the chairman of the South Texas Indian Dancers, a group which consists of about 45 dancers and 25 non-dancers from 16 different tribal groups. He also is the pastor of McAllen Grace Brethren Church and the Native American New Life Center in McAllen, Texas. The Native American New Life Center, a ministry of McAllen Grace Brethren Church, is committed to reaching out to both the spiritual needs and physical needs of our Native people in the community. The service is a Christ-centered ministry that strives to meet both our spiritual and cultural needs - from the order and style of worship to the songs we sing. This service has now branched out to locations in San Antonio and Brownsville which meet monthly. Robert holds a B.A. in Biblical Education from Florida Bible College, and the degrees of Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Christian School Administration from Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana. In past years, Robert has had the privilege of working with the Seminoles of Florida and the Pueblos and Navajos of New Mexico. He had the privilege of working as a dancer, alligator wrestler and snake handler for the Seminole Indian Reservation for three years, while in college. He also was a tutor at the Miami Urban Indian Center for two years. Robert and his wife, Iris, have two grown children and two grandsons.

Robert is an active member, and serves on the council of the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas as Vice Chairman.

Robert, along with the Huisache Creek Singers, has recorded four cd’s of pow wow-style songs that are sung around the drum during the worship service of the Native American New Life Center. He has also released three cd’s of his flute music.

Robert Soto is proud of his Native American heritage and is thankful for the culture God has given him. He is always eager and willing to share it with others and to tell about what the Lord Jesus Christ, his Savior, is doing in his life.

"The Indian Love Flute has been a source of comfort and inspiration. The songs I play come from the heart and soul of my personal experiences in life, and my relationship with my Lord and Savior and Great Creator, Jesus Christ. Anything in my life can spark up a song or melody. Some of the songs reflect times when all I had was my flute and my God. Others remind me of the awesomeness of His creation in the world around us. Wherever I go, at least one of my flutes travels with me. I even carry a small flute in my briefcase so that I can have one whenever a song comes to my heart. Every flute is unique. I collect flutes because each flute has a unique tone which will produce a unique song and sound. I do make my own flutes, but am always eager and ready to purchase one. Some of my favorite songs came when I simply picked up a flute from an Indian trading post and played a song for the first time, and if I do not buy that flute, that song will be lost forever."