[TOMT][MOVIE] Pioneer mother dies leaving two kids to survive the winter

So, I am trying to explain this movie to my sister that I had to watch at least twice during the pioneer unit in my school (2000s Canada).

It didn't look like it was super old at the time of watching, so I think it had to be made in the 90s-2000s. It was also definitely like a hallmark/made-for-tv kind of thing.

the general plot from what I remember is the dad of a pioneer family leaves the family for some reason or another, and the mom and two kids (a boy and a girl) have to endure winter without him. The mom dies, leaving the kids to fend for themselves until the dad comes back.