From the Nat'l Film Board of Canada:
Based on Holling C. Holling's book of the same name, Paddle to the Sea is Bill Mason's film adaptation of the classic tale of an Indian boy who sets out to carve a man and a canoe. Calling the man "Paddle to the Sea," he sets his carving down on a frozen stream to await spring’s arrival. The film follows the adventures that befall the canoe on its long odyssey from Lake Superior to the sea.
I remember being shown this film in probably fifth grade. This 1966 film, originally intended to be only for the educational market, was eventually released on 35mm and received an Oscar Nominataion in the Best Short Subject Category. The film was directed by Bill Mason, Canoeist/Artist/Filmmaker responsible for so many great shorts in the 60's-80's (see: The Rise and Fall of the Great Lakes).Watch: Paddle to the Sea